Winter White Burger

Winter White Burger

Recipe courtesy of Every Day with Rachael Ray

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INGREDIENTS

• 2 pounds ground turkey breast
• 4 scallions, white parts only, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• Grated peel and juice of 1 lemon
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
• Salt and pepper
• 1 ripe bartlett pear, cut lengthwise into 8 slices
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO)
• 2 cups shredded sharp white cheddar cheese
• 4 tablespoons hot pepper jelly or jalapeño jelly
• 4 extra-large english muffins, split and toasted

DIRECTIONS

1. In a medium bowl, combine the turkey, scallions, mustard, lemon peel and thyme; season with salt and pepper. Shape into four 3/4-inch-thick patties.
2. In a small nonstick skillet, add the pear slices, wine, lemon juice and enough water to just cover the pear. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer until the pear is softened, about 10 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the pear slices to a plate.
3. In a large nonstick skillet, heat the EVOO, 1 turn of the pan, over medium heat. Add the turkey patties and cook, turning once, for 12 minutes. Top with the cheese and pear slices, tent the pan with foil and cook until the cheese is melted, 2 minutes.
4. Spread 1 tablespoon hot pepper jelly on each english muffin bottom; top with a patty and an english muffin top.

Stuffed Acorn Squash

Stuffed Acorn Squash

Adapted from Karina's Kitchen

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INGREDIENTS

• 3 medium-sized acorn squashes
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1/2 medium sweet or red onion, diced
• 5 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 lb. ground turkey
• 2 cups Baby Bella mushrooms, chopped
• 1 small green or red bell pepper, seeded, cored, diced
• 1/4 teaspoon cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• A dash of spicy curry, red pepper, or other spice, to taste
• 1-15oz. can diced tomatoes
• 1-2 teaspoons dried Italian Herbs, to taste- basil, oregano, marjoram, sage, thyme
• Splash of balsamic vinegar
• 1 Tablespoon agave nectar- or molasses
• 1/4 cup good ketchup- Muir Glen is good
• 1/2 cup of broth- such as Better Than Bouillon- Organic Beef- make and set aside
• Chopped parsley, as needed

DIRECTIONS

1. Crank the oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Slice the acorn squash in half, lengthwise. Clean out the seeds. Place the halves skin side down in a broiler or roasting pan. [If any of the squash is really tippy- you can slice a thin piece off the bottom to make it sit still.]
3. Pour water into the pan- you'll need a good inch or two (this helps keep the squash from scorching/sticking to the pan). Prick the hollow of the squash with a fork to make a few tiny holes. Drizzle the squash with olive oil, and some pure maple syrup until it collects in the hollow. Don't be stingy with the maple syrup- you'll use it later. Season with sea salt.
4. Place the pan into the preheated oven.
5. Roast the squash until it is fork tender-but not totally soft; you'll be baking it again.
6. Meanwhile...
7. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet and add the onion and garlic; stir for a minute or two.
8. Add the ground turkey, mushrooms, pepper and tomatoes; season with spices and herbs and stir. Brown the meat a good bit.
9. Add a splash of balsamic vinegar, the agave nectar, and ketchup; stir; keep it on a low simmer and don't over-cook it. Take it off the heat as soon as the pinkness leaves the meat.
10. Toss in some fresh chopped parsley.
11. Remove the squash halves from the oven. Let them cool a bit in the pan. When they have cooled enough to handle, pour off the syrupy liquid (captured in the hollow) into a large measuring cup. Set aside.
12. Lower the heat in the oven to 350 degrees F.
13. Stuff each squash with the beef-mushroom filling.
14. Add the broth you made earlier to the maple syrup-olive oil mixture and mix well. Pour a little over the filling of each squash.
15. If the water has totally evaporated from the pan, add more- just an inch or two. Bake the squash for 25 to 30 minutes (or a bit longer if the ingredients have cooled), until piping hot- and the squash is tender.

Turkey Sausage and Chestnut Dressing

Turkey Sausage and Chestnut Stuffing

Adapted from Everyday Italian

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INGREDIENTS

• 1 medium green apple, cored and diced into 1-inch cubes
• 1 medium red apple, cored and diced into 1-inch cubes
• 1 medium onion, diced into 1/2-inch cubes
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon Smart Balance Light
• 1/4 cup dry white wine
• 6 oz. dried cranberries
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 lb. sweet Italian turkey sausage, meat removed from casing
• 10 oz. steamed whole chestnuts, roughly chopped
• 3/4 lb. day old cornbread, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 1 pinch red pepper flakes
• 1-1/2 cup organic, low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 cup freshly grated parmesan, divided

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
2. In a medium saute pan add the apples, onion, 1 tablespoon oil and Smart Balance. Cook over a medium low heat for 10 minutes to soften.
3. Add the wine, cranberries, and salt and pepper, simmer for about 5 minutes. Take off the heat and allow the mixture to cool.
4. In a large saute pan over medium high heat, add turkey sausage meat and break up with a wooden spoon and cook until browned and cooked through, approximately 8 to 10 minutes.
5. In a medium bowl toss together the fruit and onion mixture, the sausage, the chestnuts, the cornbread and red pepper flakes. Combine all the ingredients.
6. Add the chicken stock and 3/4 cup of the Parmesan.
7. Gently place into a casserole dish and top with the remaining Parmesan.
8. Place in middle rack and bake until top is golden brown, 45 minutes.

Deconstructed Sausage, Peppers & Onions

Casings gross me out. I'm sorry if you happen to like the snap of animal intestine to surround your meat, but I always try to nix the casing whenever possible. Thus, this sausage, peppers & onions recipe is a little bit different, almost like a topping. I am sure it would be excellent on an omelet or rice or whatever you love your spicy meat with.


Deconstructed Sausage, Peppers & Onions
Adapted from Everyday Italian

INGREDIENTS

• 1 pound sweet Italian turkey sausage
• 2 bell peppers, sliced
• 2 yellow onions, sliced
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil leaves (I did not have any; substituted to taste with dried basil)
• 4 garlic cloves, chopped
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 cup Marsala wine (I used Guinness beer)
• 1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

DIRECTIONS

1. Remove sausage from casings and heat until almost cooked through over medium heat. Remove from pan and drain if necessary.
2. Keeping the pan over medium heat, add the peppers, onions, salt, and pepper and cook until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Add the oregano, basil, and garlic and cook 2 more minutes.
3. Add the tomato paste and stir. Add the beer, tomatoes, and chili flakes, if using. Stir to combine, scraping the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon to release all of the browned bits. Bring to a simmer.
4. Add the sausage back to the pan and stir to combine. Cook until the sauce has thickened, about 20 minutes.
5. Serve in bowls, in a roll, over an omelet, etc.

Turkey Meatloaf with Chipotle Maple Glaze

Mmm... that title just makes me hungry. How do you make the perfect turkey meatloaf? First, get an excellent recipe. I got mine from Karina's Kitchen. Love that blog. She created my favorite brownies, made with almond meal. Speaking of brownies, the second thing you need is a Baker's Edge pan! Perfect crusty edges and a moist center. I didn't even need to drain off the fat in this meatloaf! Third, you need a heavenly glaze.


To make my glaze, instead of using the suggested apricot preserves, I used this Spiced Chipotle Pepper Jam from Chile Beach Jams, which I purchased at a hot sauce festival. Sweet and spicy with currants, pineapple, and of course some chipotle in adobo. Soooo good.

Turkey Meatloaf with Chipotle Maple Glaze
Adapted from this recipe

INGREDIENTS

• 1.25 lbs. lean ground turkey
• 3/4 medium red onion, roughly chopped
• 2 large handfuls baby carrots
• 6 cloves garlic
• 1/3 cup organic ketchup (organic, organic, organic! spare yourself that hfcs)
• 1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup (real! again with the hfcs)
• 1/4 cup egg replacement
• 1 egg white
• 1 scant cup rolled oats
• 1 pinch nutmeg
• 1 pinch allspice
• 1 pinch mild curry
• 1 pinch cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon sage
• salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• scant 1/3 cup Spiced Chipotle Pepper Jam
• 3 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
• 2 teaspoons dijon mustard
• 1 pinch each nutmeg and cinnamon

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Throw the onion, carrots, and garlic into a food processor and pulse until chopped to small pieces. Add to turkey in a large bowl.
3. Add ketchup, maple syrup, egg replacement, egg white, oats, spices, sage, and worcestershire sauce. Mix together with hands.
4. Press mixture into a Baker's Edge pan and cook in preheated oven for 35 minutes (45 for a loaf pan).
5. Mix together sauce ingredients (last 5) and set aside.
6. At end of 45 minutes, remove pan and drain fat (if any). Brush with glaze.
7. Cook for 20 minutes longer (30 for a loaf pan).
8. Cut and serve!