The Best Burger I Ever Ate...

I may have stumbled across a phenomenal Burger Recipe out of sheer curiosity. Any decent cook will tell you that there is always trial and error but common sense and experience make a much shorter trial period. This was one of those times where trial and error didn't really exist... it was the sweet spot and a full blown jackpot of fabulousness. The heavens opened and angels sang... with every stinkin bite!

Ingredients:

• 2.5lb Of LEAN Hamburger, 90/10 is great anything with less fat will crumble and fall apart. 
• 2 Eggs
• 1 Tbs. Mustard, regular old yellow mustard. 
• 1-2 Tbs. Garlic Salt, I used Roasted Garlic and Sea Salt.
• 1 Tbs. Tuscany Chicken Seasoning, found at Sams Club in a grinder. 
• 1-2 tsp. Liquid Smoke Flavor in  Mesquite. 
• 1 1/2 C Shredded Cheese, I used Three Cheese ie Provolone, Mozzarella and Cheddar. 

Mix the Ingredients together by hand folding in the shredded cheese and eggs. One good fist full should provide between 7-9 patties. COOK IN A PAN and spray with cooking oil as there is cheese which will melt into a grill. If you are grilling use foil and spray liberally with cooking spray, place on the grill one low heat or top rack to catch any drippings. 

Cook till crispy golden brown on both sides or till desired doneness. I like mine between medium and medium well. Took about 15-20 min to cook all 7 patties. 

Tell me what you  think and post any different versions you make. I always love hearing from  you!! 

Sassy Fry Sauce

Once upon a time... Fry Sauce was created in Utah ... and only found in well... Utah. The traditional way to make it is with Ketchup and Mayo. Some like more Mayo others like more Ketchup. I ... like mine more sassy.

Ingredients:

• 1/4 C BBQ Sauce ( I use Sweet Baby Rays)
• 1/4 C Ketchup (nothing special just Hines)
• 1-2 C Mayo (Depending on how intense you like it)
• 1 T Cajun Seasonings ( McCormik is good enough)

Mix the Ingredients together let sit for a little bit on the counter to wake up the spices in the Cajun Seasoning and serve with ... just about anything. Adding it to a Burger is delightful or a Chicken Sandwich. 

Tell me what you  think and post any different versions you make. 

DaniW 

Quick & Light(er) Stuffed Bell Peppers

Stuffed Bell Peppers 
(Cook Time: 20-30min Prep Time: 10-15min Serves 6)
Ingredients: 

• 2 lb's Ground Turkey or Ground Beef (97%)
• 1/4 C Organic Quinoa (Pre-Washed)
• 1/2 Lg Onion - Chopped
• 1 Can Black Beans (drained)
• 1 Can Diced Tomatoes (drained)
• 1 Can 4oz Diced Green Chilis (drained)
• 2 C Spinach
• 1 Pkg Taco Seasonings (or more to taste) 
• 6 Bell Peppers (any color) 
• 1 C Cheese - Shredded

Directions:

Brown meat in a large skillet, before fully cooked add onion & Quinoa. 

Strain together Tomatoes, Beans and Chilies. Pour strained veggies into skillet add spinach and lightly toss till spinach is soft but not soggy. 

Strain mixture one more time and let set and drip. 

While mixture is sitting on low in skillet cut the tops off of the Bell Peppers, remove seeds and spines from inside. Even out the bottoms if you would like so they sit steady on a plate and do not tip over. 

Add mixture to Bell Peppers, place in greased baking dish and top Stuffed Peppers with Cheese. Bake at 400 degrees for 20-30 minutes. If the cheese does not have a crust to your liking broil for a few minutes while watching them so you do not burn the tops. 

Whole Wheat Apple Strudel Bread

Nothing beats warm toasted and lightly buttered apple strudel bread in the morning. A favorite brand of mine is Inn Keepers from Oregon and since finding it can be tricky I decided to make it myself... maybe a little healthier.

Ingredients:

2 1/2 C Whole Wheat Flour
1 C packed Brown Sugar
1 Can Apple Pie Filling
3 med Apples (peeled, cored and diced)
2 Eggs
4 T Butter
1/4 C Apple Sauce
1 T Cinnamon
1 t Allspice
1 t Cloves
1 t Baking Soda
1 t Baking Powder
1 t Vanilla
1 t Mapline Flavor

Directions:

Mix all ingredients together place in bread making and set at a Cake or Rustic loaf with Medium Crust. If using the Oven place in oven at 350 degrees for 40-50 min and let set in pan for 10 min followed by allowing to cool and dry covered by a towel.

Danielle

Bruschetta Chicken Pasta

I have been dying to put this recipe together and thought it would take longer than it did... so when it took me less than 30 min from start to sitting down and eating I was pleasantly surprised! 

Bruschetta Chicken Pasta
(Cook Time: 15-20min Prep Time: 5-10min Serves 4)
Ingredients: 

• 3 Med-Large Tomatoes (cubed, reserve a 1/4 for later)
• 1 Box Noodles (Penne)
• 1 Can French Cut Green Beans (strained) (Can sub w/ chopped Asparagus just add to noodles when boiling instead)
• Spinach (lg bundle or bag largely chopped)
• 3 Garlic Cloves ( minced)
• 2-3 Chicken Breast (Cut into 1/4" strips)
• 3 Tb Olive Oil
• 1-2 Tb Italian Seasonings
• 1 Slice or Thick Cut Bacon (chopped)
• 1/4 C Pepperoni (cut into 1/4's)
• 1-3 Tb Balsamic Vinegarette
• Salt & Pepper to taste 

Cooking Instructions: 
Place sliced chicken in Frying pan (med-high) add Oil, salt and pepper. Add in Garlic, Bacon & Pepperoni and cover with lid. Reduce heat to med. While meat is cooking fill pan with well salted water & bring to boil. Add in noodles and cook till al dente. While noodles boil add chopped tomatoes to frying pan along with green beans, Italian Seasonings, Balsamic Vinegarette and Salt & Pepper. Stirring occasionally. Let cook for about 5 min then add in Spinach and reserved tomatoes. Stir well and cover with lid and reduce to a simmer. Once spinach is soft (not soggy) remove from heat and combine with strained Penne noodles. 


DaniW

Locked And Loaded Turkey Meatloaf

I was never a fan of meatloaf... until I found this recipe and now Im hooked!

Stuffed Turkey Meatloaf
(Prep/Cook Time: 10min/20 min or 10min/1hr Serves 8)

Ingredients

• 2lbs ground turkey
• 1 C bread crumbs
• 2 Eggs
• 1T Parsley
• 1/2 T Garlic powder
• 1/2 T onion powder
• 1/2 Onion chopped
• 1 C Carrots Juliened/matchsticks
• 1 C Spinach (Fresh) Chopped
• 1/2 C Zuchinnie Juliened/ choppped finely
• 1 C BBQ Sauce (Divided 1/2)
• 3-4 Strips Cooked Bacon (Crumbled)
• 1/2 Bell Pepper (Red, yellow or Orange) Chopped
• 1/2 C Shredded Cheddar Cheese (Divided 1/2)

Cooking Instructions
Combined First 11 ingredients ( Turkey, bread, eggs, parsley, garlic, onion pwdr, onion, carrots, spinach, zuchinnie & BBQ sauce) into an even mixture. Place 2/3rd of Meatloaf mixture into well greased Deep Covered Baker or well greased Regular loaf pan. Create a Ditch in the middle of the loaf to hold the remaining ingredients ( bacon, bell peppers and cheese). Top with remaining meatloaf mixture and blend the "seam".

If cooking in Microwave cook for 15 min. Remove and top with remaining BBQ sauce and cheese then return to microwave for 5min and let stand for 5 min before serving.

If cooking in a regular loaf pan in Oven cook at 350 for 1 hour and let stand for 5 min before serving.

Quick Thai Lettuce Wraps

Valentines Day is the day of LOVE... This is the PERFECT dinner for two! No utensils need and plates are optional. If you want to make things interesting you can even feed your significant other! ;) 

Quick Thai Lettuce Wraps
(Prep/Cook Time: 30 min Serves 2-4)

Ingredients

• 1 Packet Knorr/Lipton Teriyaki Noodles Sides
• 3 Chicken Breasts (Frozen is fine)
• 1/3 C Stir Fry Sauce
• 1 Onion Yellow/White Chopped
• 2 Cloves Garlic Chopped
• 1 T Oil
• 1 T Sesame Seeds
• 1 LG Head of Iceburg Lettuce 
• 1 Package Rice Noodles

Cooking Instructions

Boil Chicken with Stir Fry Sauce, once fully cooked drain and set aside.
In same Stock Pot boil Rice Noodles, strain and set aside
In a deep skillet or sauce pan Saute Onions, Garlic & Sesame Seeds in Oil
Once sauted add in Teriyaki Sides Packet along with Water as instructed on label.
While Teriyaki mixture is boiling and simmering, stirring occationally, Chop chicken finely. We used a hand chopper that worked great or a food processor.
Add Chicken to almost finished Teriyaki mixture and fold in till mixed thouroughly.
Seperate Lettuce into whole leaves, removing the bottom stem stub makes this significantly easier! Layer into a pile for easy access!
Place Noodles in on dish, Teriyaki Chicken Mixture in another and Lettuce leaves piled in another!

To eat place noodles in lettuce bowl and top with Teriyaki mixture... enjoy! No forks, spoons or plates needed!