Fighting Diabetes One Burger at a Time

Come September, will be serving up a burger made of generosity and initiative topped with a healthy serving of care and a dash of philanthropy.

I’m talking about the Ashley Burger - the latest recipe crafted by Sation Eats owner Nicholas Type with and for Ashley Dunnam, a young New Canaanite who is diabetic and raising funding for the cause.

After the power outage in downtown New Canaan left Station Eats in the dark and disrupted the ingredient-picking process, a very determined Nicholas Type joined Ashley, mother Andrea and father Tom at their home to craft the burger that will raise funds for Ashley’s Army - one of the leading national family teams in the American Diabetic Association.

Type, a long-time donor to the diabetes cause, has contributed coupons and printed his company’s name on t-shirts for previous events, but decided it would be a fun idea to donate a portion of the proceed from a special Ashley Burger for the diabetes walk in Stamford on October 6.

Type sat down with Ashley, 12, to meticulously plan a recipe that would be delicious without interfering with her dietary restrictions. Being a vegetarian, Ashley opted for meatless burger:

The Ashley Burger

1 x hamburger bun
1 x veggie burger
1 x burger sized piece of green leaf lettuce
2 x slices of tomato
2oz x guacamole
1oz x black bean salsa

Guacamole
1 x ripe avocado
1/2 x shallot finely diced
1 x minced garlic clove
1/4 tsp x hot sauce
2 tbsp x chopped cilantro
1/2 x fresh squeezed lime juice
salt and pepper to taste

Lightly mash peeled avocados and add remaining ingredients. Mix gently.

Black Bean Salsa
1 can x organic black beans
1/4 cup x sweet corn kernels
1 x red pepper diced (about the same size of corn)
1/4 cup x diced red onion
1/4 cup x cilantro leaves
1/4 cup x honey cilantro dressing

Place all ingredients in a mixing bowl and gently toss in dressing.

Honey Cilantro Dressing
3 tbsp x honey or agave nectar
1/4 cup x ime juice
1/4 cup x finely chopped cilantro
1 x minced garlic clove
1/2 cup x olive oil or canola oil
salt and pepper to taste

Place all ingredients in processor or blender and mix.

Final Assembly:
1. Toast bun
2. Grill or saute veggie burger
3. Place veggie burger on toasted bun
4. Place lettuce over veggie burger
5. Place tomato over lettuce
6. Spoon guacamole over lettuce
7. Top with black bean salsa

The Ashley Burger will be available at both the Station Eats locations - Stamford and New Canaan - throughout September. Be sure to check it out!