Indian-Spiced Burgers & Cumin Yogurt Sauce

I love (I mean, LOVE) turkey burgers. My husband and I were talking about our love for turkey burgers just the other day. We decided that we don't just like them because they're a little bit better for you than hamburgers, but we like them because we just enjoy the taste. Seriously, so good. I look at turkey burgers as a blank slate - an open canvass that is waiting to be painted...with toppings & spices. Cheesy analogy? I thought so too. 

Okay, so I've made these delicious turkey burgers (mushroom blue cheese burgers) numerous times. They are so.so.good. Please try them! And then after you thank me for posting such a fabulous turkey burger recipe, go ahead and try THIS one: Indian-Spiced Turkey Burgers. You'll love me forever, I promise you that! Oh, and the yogurt sauce. It's a perfect, refreshing, cool compliment to the spicy burgers. Yum!

Source: Cooking in Cucamonga, adapted from Martha Stewart's Great Food Fast

Ingredients:
1 1/2 pounds ground turkey or chicken
4 green onions, thinly sliced
3 Tablespoons chopped fresh ginger
2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 Tablespoon paprika
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom - I omitted this, as I didn't have it
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons coarse salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1/2 a cucumber, peeled and thinly sliced

Directions:

Prepare your grill for medium-high heat. (Or turn on your Foreman!)

In a medium bowl, combine the ground turkey, green onions, ginger, lemon juice, paprika, cumin, cardamom, cayenne, salt and pepper. Mix well to combine. Set aside to marinate for 10-30 minutes.

Form the meat into patties to the size of your liking. Try to keep the thickness to about 3/4 of an inch.

Grill the patties until cooked through (165 degrees internal temperature), about 3-4 minutes per side. About 2 minutes before the meat is done.

Top with cucumbers and drizzle with cumin yogurt sauce (see below). Serve on a bun, in a pita, or just enjoy it as is!

Cumin Yogurt Sauce

Ingredients:

1 container (about 3/4 of a cup) low-fat plain yogurt - I used Greek yogurt
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
dash paprika
salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and stir to combine. Refrigerate until ready to serve with Indian-spiced burgers.

Supper Potluck

[Insert appetizing photo here] :)

There's a blue sky and 75 degree weather here in Baltimore today. And what am I doing? Blogging about a nice hearty, warm and comforting meal. I must be confused! I will admit - I'm pulling this recipe from my archives. I made this wonderful Supper Potluck back in February. As you may recall, Baltimore experienced one of the worst blizzards in its winter history! Of course the meal hit the spot at that time. Why am I blogging about this now? Well, to be honest, I didn't blog about it before because the picture turned out...well...awful. I hate when a meal tastes so yummy but looks absolutely disgusting does not photograph well. That does not make for a good blog post! 

I was scrummaging through my old pictures and I came across the bad photo - even two months later it still looks not-so-good. But I realized that you deserve to have the recipe because it is truly a yummy and hearty comfort dish. AND it's healthy! AND it uses the crock pot - how I love thee. Enjoy!

Source: Weight Watchers - Supper Potluck

Ingredients:

1 lb. ground turkey breast (or beef)

3 cups sliced raw potatoes

1 1/2 cups chopped celery

2 cups sliced carrots

1 cup chopped onion

1 1/2 cups frozen peas

2 teaspoons Italian seasoning

1 15 oz. can of tomato sauce

Directions:

In a large skillet, brown the turkey.  Meanwhile place potatoes, celery, carrots, and onion in your crock pot.  Sprinkle peas over top. Spoon browned meat over vegetables. Stir Italian seasoning into tomato sauce. Evenly pour sauce over meat. Cover. Cook on LOW 6 to 8 hours. Stir well just before serving.

Mmm...Mexican Lasagna.

So I feel like I've been on this Mexican food kick these past few days. I made Taco Dip on Friday, cheesy quesadillas for the Super Bowl (I didn't blog it - it was rather simple & I just used ingredients that I had on-hand) and last night I made Mexican Lasagna. My husband had to walk home from campus last night, as the shuttle system was shut down because of this crazy blizzard we're experiencing. He couldn't find a taxi either, so he trekked it across Baltimore. I just admire him and his positivity. I would have sat down in the middle of the street, waiting for someone to get me. :)

Anyway...once he got home, he said he was craving some solid, hearty comfort food. Yay! It was a win for the wife - I had the Mexican Lasagna in the oven, and boy was he excited! This was extremely easy - I know I say that a lot - I should just stop because all the food I make is super easy - but really, this was! You can tailor it to your tastes...if you don't like green chiles, then just use diced tomatoes. If you don't like black olives, then don't add them. Get creative!

Adapted from For the Love of Cooking - Mexican Lasagna.

Ingredients:

1 lb. of ground turkey (or beef)

1 packet taco seasoning

1 cup of salsa

2 tortillas - I used whole wheat

1/2 can refried beans

1 can diced tomatoes with green chiles

2 cups frozen corn, thawed

1 small can of sliced black olives

Shredded cheddar cheese - I actually used "Mexican Style"

Directions:

In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground turkey (or beef) - add taco seasoning. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a 2.5 quart baking dish, pour half the salsa on the bottom. Place 1 tortilla in the baking dish - mine didn't fit perfect, but close enough. You'll be having two layers, so you'll split the ingredients in half.

Spread half of the refried beans over the entire tortilla then add cheese, ground turkey, tomatoes, corn, black olives, then spread some salsa over the top. Add another tortilla and repeat. You can finish it with more cheese and black olives.

Bake covered (with lid or foil) for 25 minutes. Uncover and bake for another 5 minutes.

Let stand for 5 minutes before serving. I served it with sour cream on top.

The Best Turkey Burgers

Although my husband and I currently live in an apartment, it has not stopped us from grilling up a storm. Case in point, we LOVE making these turkey burgers. To be honest, I grew up eating red meat every day of my life. Were turkey burgers ever in the picture? No! Since getting married, I've had red meat about 3 times - there are definitely healthier options (but please realize that I'll never turn away a great piece of steak!). We eat a lot of chicken, turkey and fish now - and it's great. Below is a divine recipe for great turkey burgers. Enjoy! *Adapted from Allrecipes.com - Mushroom Blue Cheese Turkey Burgers.

Ingredients:

1 pound ground turkey

8 ounces fresh mushrooms, finely chopped

1 onion, finely chopped

2 tablespoons soy sauce

1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Directions:

1. Preheat grill for high heat (or turn on your Foreman!).

2. In a medium bowl, mix together all the ingredients. Form into 4 patties.

3. Place on grill and cook for 10 minutes on each side (or 10 minutes total if using a George Foreman Grill).

4. Serve on buns with your favorite toppings. Mayonnaise and tomatoes are great!