Showing posts with label ground turkey. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ground turkey. Show all posts

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Turkey Burger Recipe!

Remember when I showed you all the turkey burgers I made a while back?  Well, after checking some files at Travelers (where I work during breaks) I found the recipe!  I can’t for the life of me remember where it was from, but here you go:

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What you'll need:
  • 1 1/4 lb. lean ground turkey 
  • 1 tbs. olive oil
  • 1 tbs. onion powder
  • 1/4 tsp. garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp. oregano
  • 1 tbs. freshly chopped parsley
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
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How to make it:

Mix everything together in a large bowl until combined; don’t be afraid to use your hands!  Makes about 6 patties – and they freeze great!

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Happy summer and happy grilling!

Monday, April 19, 2010

Hunger Attack, Resolved

If you were witness to my sudden hunger attack last week, I apologize now.  You were all subject to my clearly not thought through decision to take a night class and fail to pack dinner, which was definitely not your fault.  Although, if I had thought that decision through in the first place, this blog wouldn't even be here.  So I guess you have to look at the upside.

Anyway, in order to apologize, I will now update you with pictures of the meal I had decided to make.  I had been meaning to post this for awhile anyway, as it's one of my favorite: Seasoned Turkey Cheeseburgers with Caramelized Onions.

When I made these burgers last Monday night, they were definitely an example of haphazard college cooking.  I used shredded cheddar cheese instead of something that would hold together better, two slices of Wonder bread for the bun, and a pan cover that didn't actually fit the pan because it was dirty.  That's what happens when you have roommates.

Also, I will say right now that I am REALLY SORRY, but I can't remember what I put in my turkey burger patties to make them so tasty!  I made a bunch at the beginning of the semester and froze them, so this baby had just been thawed from the freezer (there are four more left- eek!).  I know that they have onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in them, but for the life of me, I can't remember anything else.  If I find it, I'll post it.  Kapeesh?

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What you'll need:
  • Ground turkey (or a turkey burger patty)
  • Half of a small to medium onion
  • Cheese (whatever you have handy)
  • Salt
  • Olive oil
  • Bread/bun
  • Seasonings that I currently cannot remember.  Sorry.
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How to make it:

1.  First, you want to get your turkey burger patty together.  Mine was already good to go because I had frozen it in January, but if you're starting from scratch, take some of your ground turkey and season it with onion powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper.  Form it into a round patty and set it aside.


2.  Chop your onion.  I did it the Pioneer Woman way, so I documented it for ya.  But be warned: I actually didn't want to dice my onion like this; I wanted it in strips.  So this is just for your enjoyment- don't follow the last step!

Once your onion is cut in half, cut several slits in it-
but don't make them go all the way to the top.


Then, all you have to do is slice in the opposite direction... presto!  Perfect dice!


3.  Now, caramelize those babies in a pan with olive oil (or butter… we’re already using dairy with the cheese!).

Just cook them over medium-low heat until they look like...


...this!  When they're nice and brown, remove them to a separate plate.


4.  Now it’s time to cook your burger. Add a little cooking spray and slap your burger right in the same pan. After about 4 or 5 minutes, flip it over.

Yum, golden brown! I’m definitely not the burger master… but when a girl’s hungry, she’s gotta make due.


5.  Once your burger is pretty much done (check the center!), put some onions right on top and layer the cheese over it.

When you’re using cheddar cheese like me, it gets a little messy. Especially if you diced your onions weird, too.


6.  Cover the pan in order to get the cheese to melt for a minute or two. When it’s done…

Oh, baby. It’ll look like this.



Slide it onto your bread (you can put on any extra onions that wouldn’t fit, too!)


And take one final picture before you dig into that delicious hunk of a sandwich, there.

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Recipe Review:

Usually, when I make this burger I don’t add any cheese. And I like to use a thinner bun. However, I had to make due with what I had and I knew that I didn’t have any condiments or hamburger buns at my apartment. That’s the beauty of the “undergrad gourmet” way of cooking – you always get a little twist thrown in!

This burger was definitely an A, especially because of my ravenous hunger. I do want to try those Pioneer Woman sandwiches though – but I’d better get ready to get on the treadmill the next day. You all can come, too. Not on one treadmill, though. That might be difficult.

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Because I’m currently trying to empty my freezer with all of my pre-cooked food from the semester, we’ll be looking at fewer recipes and more other food topics in the weeks to come. What do you want to chat about?

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Reasons I Love My Roommate: Chili Extravaganza

One day during my sophomore year, my friends all wanted to get together for "family dinner" at my friend Taylor's house.  Back then, he was the only one with an apartment and, therefore, a kitchen, so it was quite a novelty for all of us.  Plus, if we cooked for him, he would let us hang out there instead of in our own rooms, so it was a pretty good deal.

Because we had such a big group of people, Andrea had a great idea: why not call her mom for their family's chili recipe?  While I was very happy to be eating a hearty, delicious meal, I was also a little nervous.  First of all, I am a huge wimp when it comes to spicy.  Andrea knows this and enjoys mocking me for it, so I knew she would not back down on the spice on my account.  Secondly, I had only had homemade chili a couple of times, at my hometown's Fire Dept. picnics (I know, right?  Ridiculous).  Isn't chili so typical for a fire department get-together?  I resist to overstate the irony.

However, putting my fears aside, I ate the chili and let me tell you, it was mondo deliciouso!  It was so good that I got the recipe from her and now cook it every single time I am home.  Even my family loves it!  I've tweaked it slightly over the past year, and I use ground turkey instead of beef because it's better for Joe to eat and lower in fat and calories.  Trust me, once you make this Classic Hearty Chili once, you'll make it a staple in your recipe book.  Plus, it's easy and fast!

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What you'll need:
  • 1 lb. ground turkey (you can use beef if you want, too)
  • 1 medium to large onion, chopped
  • 2 to 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 28-32 oz. can of diced tomatoes w/ garlic and olive oil (I use Red Pack brand- trust me, the garlic and olive oil kind is what you want)
  • 2 cans red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • 2 cups medium salsa
  • 2 tbsp chili powder
  • 10 oz. bag of frozen corn (optional)
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt, pepper, and garlic powder

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How to make it:

1) Over medium-high heat, brown the ground turkey completely in a pan.  Drain and put in a large pot.

2) Wash your pan and use it again to heat olive oil over medium heat.  Add onion and garlic to the pan and cook until the onions are soft and translucent (about 5-6 minutes).  Add these to the pot as well

3) Add tomatoes, beans (washed and drained), and salsa to the pot.  Stir all ingredients together and turn the heat on to medium-high.  Add in the chili powder and stir well.

4) Bring chili to a boil.  When boiling, turn down to a simmer (medium-low heat) and cover.  Cook for 20-25 minutes.  When cooked, add salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste.  If you're brave, you can also add more chili powder- but not if you're a wimp like me!

5) If choosing to use corn, stir the frozen corn in and cover for five more minutes.  Although I love corn, Jonathan hates it, so we don't use it when I make it at home.

6) Serve with sour cream and cheese and enjoy!

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This recipe is a staple in my many kitchens, so there's no need for a review.  The garlic and olive oil tomatoes just adds an extra something that makes the chili absolutely perfect, so I highly recommend finding it!  I also recommend that you use corn in the chili and then convince my little brother to stop being a teenager and realize just how GOOD it makes it.

Also, if you hadn't noticed, this recipe is GF/DF friendly!  Hallelujah!  It's one of Joe's favorites too, but he makes it much more spicy than I do.  To each his own, I suppose.

Thank you, Andrea, for this delicious chili, and I'm sorry I ever doubted you!


Are you a spice nut or a spice wimp like me?  What's the best chili you've ever had?