California Style Turkey Burgers on Savory Sourdough Waffles

I was debating over what to do for dinner tonight. A turkey burger sounded delicious but I wanted something different...My son had asked for a batch of savory waffles for the freezer for sandwiches next week so since I had the waffle maker out I decided I needed to have create a waffle burger. I also wanted something with avocado so I was looking around recipes for California Burgers. One of the recipes called for Sourdough buns so I figured why not try to make my waffles kind of Sourdough?.....Deliciousness was born!!



Get the starter going in the am, it can sit all day.  If you want to make the guacamole(at the bottom of the page) you can get that done early too, lots of time for flavors to mingle!

Gluten Free Sourdough "Starter":
1 cup warm water
3/4 cup sorghum flour*
1/4 cup potato starch*
3 TB tapioca starch*
2 tsps yeast
2 tsps sugar
* you can sub 1 cup regular wheat flour in place of these 3 if you don't need/want gluten free

Combine all the above ingredients in a large bowl and allow to sit in a warm location for at LEAST 4 hours....the longer it sits, the more sour it will taste.









Remaining Waffle Ingredients:

1 cup water
1/2 cup dry polenta (or coarse ground cornmeal)
1/4 cup butter

1 egg, lightly beaten

1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
1/4 tsp cayenne
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp xantahan gum(omit if using wheat flour)
(you can fiddle with seasonings as you see fit, just add your favorite herbs/spices)

Optional Waffle additions:
1/2 small red bell pepper, roasted and peeled then diced well
1 TB  parsley
3/4 cup jack cheese, shredded

When your starter is ready combine water and polenta in a sauce pan and heat until thickened and bubbly and not soupy at all.









Add butter and stir until melted. Remove from heat and allow to cool down, it doesn't have to be completely cold, just enough to not cook the egg.







Add the polenta mixture to the starter and mix well.











Add in egg, stir.... Then gently fold the baking powder and seasonings (and optional additions.)










Cook waffles according to your waffle maker instructions.









(I actually cook mine a little longer than recommended to make them extra crispy)



Burger Ingredients:
1lb ground turkey (breast is wonderful but you can use any ground turkey you like)
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 small sweet onion, minced
1 TB fresh cilantro, chopped fine
juice of 1/2 a small lime
1 TB water(optional)
salt and pepper to taste

Topping:
Slices of avocado or some fresh guacamole*
Slices of tomato
Fresh Greens
Any condiments you desire!

Gently combine the burger ingredients, add water carefully, it really depends on the fat content of the meat, you want it to stick well, but not be mushy, be careful not to overwork the meat.










Divide evenly into patties and make a nice indentation in the center (to prevent bubbling)

Place on a broiler pan that has been brushed with olive oil and broil 5-6 minutes per side until a minimum of 165 degrees has been reached.

Top each patty with a slice of Monterrey Jack Cheese (Pepper Jack is great too!) and broil a few moments more to melt the cheese.





Place each patty on 1 waffle, dress and top as desired and pop on another waffle!








* I did a  Simple Chunky  Guac.
1  avocado, peeled and diced
1/4 cup sweet onion, minced
5 rings of pickled jalapeno, minced
1 TB chopped  fresh cilantro
1 small clove garlic, minced fine
1 tsp lime juice
1/2 tsp honey
salt and pepper to taste

Combine all and mash together gently, leaving generous chunks.












Place the avocado pit back in the center of the guac, cover and refrigerate at least an hour to allow flavors to mingle.