The “Craz-E Burger,” which was created by Food Network star and Southern cook Paula Deen, is a bacon-cheeseburger sandwiched between a buttered Krispy Kreme donut. Yes folks, two of the most saturated fat-friendly foods the American diet has created have joined together in a ceremonious union of heart attack meets muffin top.

The queen of Southern cooking, known for her very generous use of butter, first pioneered the burger on her food show. The heart-stopping creation was picked up by the restaurants and sandwich dives all over the country; including the Big E agriculture fair this past summer in Massachusetts, where more than 1,000 sold to curious and risk-taking fair-goers.

While the version of the donut burger that is making headlines is made with bacon, beef, cheese and of course donuts, the original gut-busting burger that Ms. Deen whipped up on her show called for the addition of a few fried eggs atop the heap of cardiac-arresting ingredients.

The nutrition facts that follow are only for those who have never eaten the donut burger. And since ignorance is bliss, for those of you who have chowed down on this monstrosity, we ask that you stop reading right now.

Calories: 1,500

Fat grams: 45-70 (will vary depending upon ingredients and inclusion of fried eggs)

Percentage of calories from fat: 50-65 percent

Estimated calories per bite: 100

Here is a clip from Good Morning America as the co-hosts braved a bite of the Donut Burger.

And here’s Paula preparing the concoction herself:

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The 1,500 Calorie Donut Burger

While most kids rebel by skipping curfew or drinking, Fieri acted out by cooking. “I started cooking when I was 10 because I just couldn’t eat that stuff,” he says. His rebellion even includes a tattoo that reads “Kulinary Gangsta.”

He has an infectious passion for food, that he shares on many Food Network shows, as well as with his family of four. Fieri is married to wife Lori, and they have two sons, Hunter and Ryder. He gets the entire family involved when he’s in the kitchen (which due to shooting schedules is only about one-third the year). His kids help prepare recipes like deep-fried s’mores, four-bean salad, barbecue, pizza, sushi or Hunter’s spaghetti and meatballs.

He admits the food isn’t as wholly nutritious as the natural diet he grew up on, but argues food is “so much more than nutrients. We all have an emotional connection to food. Why not use that to connect to our children?”

(via People Magazine)

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Guy Fieri’s Macrobiotic Childhood Created a Food Rebel

The recipe looks incredible, sure to just pop with flavor, especially once the chicken has been grilled. The nutrition facts leave a little to be desired- with 742 calories, 30 grams of fat; that’s 16.5 Weight Watchers Points for you counters. For the low carb dieters, 51 grams of carbs (80 percent from the roll). Those numbers are pretty hard to swallow, and we’re certainly not pitching this as a healthy recipe as-is.

A chicken sandwich is certainly a smart, healthy meal, especially with the salsa, avocados and olive oil (with healthy MUFAs), and a fresh citrus marinade; but once you add the cheese and white bakery roll things take a turn for the worse. So, we’ve come up with a few suggestions for voting out some of the calories and fat.

1. Ditch the roll and save 220 calories, 35g fat, 41 carbs.

2. Trade the roll for a whole grain tortilla wrap and save 100 calories, 25g carbs; add 1.5g fat.

3. Remove the cheese and save 146 calories, 12g fat, and 1.3g carbs.

Get the John McCain Chicken Queso Burger recipe.

Craving a recipe for Democrats? Check out the Barack Obama Pizza Burger recipe.

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John McCain Chicken Queso Burger Recipe

Knowing that the Democratic candidate prefers a lean, nutritious diet and is very physically fit, it’s hard to imagine him chowing down on one of these burgers. The nutrition facts are astonishing: 1246 calories, 88.5g fat, 260mg cholesterol, 1340mg sodium, 53.6g carbs, 2.1g fiber, 4.7g sugar, 60.6g protein, not to mention nearly 32 WW Points. Whoa! That’s nearly two double Quarter Pounders with cheese from McDonald’s.

We’re certainly not condoning this as a “healthy” recipe. It sounds delicious, and the novelty of a Barack Obama burger could certainly be a fun entree at an election watch party. So we have some suggestions to reduce the fat and calories in this, or any burger.

1. Don’t use the garlic butter sauce. Instead, season the beef with the garlic, parsley, salt, pepper and vinegar. Without the butter, you’ll save 135 calories and 15 grams of fat per burger.

2. Use non-fat mozzarella instead of whole milk mozzarella. You’ll save 86 calories/burger. Or, skip the cheese completely and save 170 calories/burger.

3. Use a 6 oz. ground turkey patty instead of 8 oz. angus beef, you’ll save 266 calories and 35.2 grams of fat per burger.

4. Use a 6 oz. lean angus beef like La Cense, and you’ll save 376 calories and 39.6 grams of fat per burger.

5. Use a grilled 8 oz. portobello mushroom instead of the beef, you’ll cut 586 calories and 98 percent of the fat in each burger.

Get the Barack Obama Pizza Burger Recipe.

More interested in a Republican recipe? Check out the John McCain Chicken Queso Burger recipe.

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Barack Obama Pizza Burger Recipe

Casting Call for Documentary Series on the Food Network
In search of new members for Mayor’s Challenge

Al Roker Entertainment, Inc. is coming to Oklahoma City in search of overweight individuals and families who are ready to join Mayor Cornett’s Weight Loss Challenge.  If you know of someone who has not yet joined, please pass on the following information.

When: Saturday, May 31st

Where: Civic Center Music Hall
201 North Walker Avenue
CitySpace Theatre

Time: Noon to 5 pm

Food: True Life*, premiering on The Food Network in Fall 2008, is an exciting new reality series that will reveal a whole new side to the world of food!

See the power and the paradox of food. Watch how food motivates, heals, and redeems, and watch complex stories about food phobias, fears and addictions. Through these stories, we will examine how food affects men, women, children, and even entire communities.

Each episode will reveal how food transforms people’s lives, with diverse and compelling stories that will fascinate, inform, surprise, and entertain.

For more information and to make your casting appointment, please contact Mary Lively at 646-723-9827 or via e-mail at mary@alroker.com.

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Food Network Casting Call in OKC