TURKEY BURGERS

A quick, easy, healthy dinner anytime of the week is turkey burgers or patties if you skip the bun because you're watching your carbs.

I do several variations of my turkey burgers. It really depends on what I have on hand. I use one pound of 99% fat free turkey meat.  The burgers always come out moist because of the ingredients that are added to the meat.  In the picture above, I have roasted garlic, spinach, and feta cheese in the patties with a side of sweet potato fries.

These are my top 3 combos to cook turkey burgers:

#1--- roasted garlic with sweet hot cherry peppers, shallot and shredded parmesan. Here is a picture of the peppers I use.

Also, a timesaving tip, I get my roasted garlic already done from my grocery store deli.

To make these burgers...

• ·      sauté shallot in a little olive oil till soften
• ·      chop about ¾ c of peppers
• ·      chop as much garlic as you like or you can keep the cloves whole and live dangerously  ;)
• ·      shred about ½ c parmesan cheese
• ·      mix all the above to the ground turkey meat and form into patties. This should make 6-8 depending on the size patties you prefer.
• ·      Cook in a grill pan or in an electric skillet (sprayed with cooking spray) on med heat till cooked through.

**side note: put a couple of tablespoons of water in the pan after browning both sides then cover the pan. Put heat on low heat for about 5 minutes. It helps the thicker patties cook through and also makes the patties extra moist

#2—Gambinos Olive Salad with pepperoncini (jalapeno if you love extra hot) and Feta cheese. 

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• ·      Drain and pat the Olive Salad dry with a paper towel
•     Add 1/2 c Feta cheese crumbles
• ·      Mix with the ground turkey
• ·      Proceed to cook as instructed above

#3--Chopped Spinach, minced garlic, chopped mushroom, minced shallot

• Chop into small pieces 1 cup of mushrooms. whichever you like - I prefer Baby Bella
• Mince 2 shallots and 2 cloves of garlic
• In a pan, sauté the mushroom in 1 T olive oil on medium heat
• After 2-3 minutes add the shallot and garlic  Saute another minute
• Then add 3 cups roughly chopped spinach  Remove from heat and let spinach wilt for a bit
• after it has cooled somewhat mix with the ground turkey and proceed to cook as instructed above.

The combinations are endless and my family loves the taste and variety of all. Use your imagination.  I love to let my creative side take over and think outside the box.  Let me know if you try any of these combos or if you come up with your own favorite.

Have a great weekend and remember cooking for your family is an expression of love, not a chore. Its all a matter of perspective.

Lar