Recipe for Stuffed Mediterranean Turkey Burgers

Mmmm, little pockets of goodness tucked inside a moist, delicious turkey burger!  These are a little too fragile for the grill.  They cook up quickly in a pan with a little olive oil for browning.  Make sure not to overcook or they will be dry.

Servings: 3
Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 to 1 1/4 lb. ground turkey or turkey breast
• 1/4 cup julienne cut sundried tomatoes in olive oil
• 1/4 cup crumbled low fat feta cheese
• 1 heaping TBSP finely chopped basil
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper 

Method:

• Pour a very fine layer of olive oil in a large frying pan and heat over medium high heat.
• While pan heats, mix tomatoes, feta and basil together.
• Divide turkey into 6 equal balls and flatten them.
• Spoon 1/3rd of tomato mixture on 3 of the pieces of turkey and then top each of them with one of the plain pieces of turkey.
• Gently press around the edges to form a sealed burger.
• Sprinkle a few drops of olive oil and season with salt and pepper on both sides.
• Cook over med high heat 4-5 minutes per side, until no longer pink inside.

These were just perfect for an evening when we wanted a light but flavorful supper (to make up for overindulging the evening before!).

You can stuff all sorts of different things in these turkey burgers and stuffed burgers are my favorite way to eat ground turkey-I find it too dry otherwise.

Here are some other ways I've served them-Enjoy!

Olive and feta turkey burgers

Stuffed turkey burgers with goat's cheese and roasted red peppers

Blue Cheese, pistachio and cranberry turkey burgers (my personal favorite)

Inside out turkey cheeseburgers

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Recipe for Sesame Salmon and Asparagus

I've made something similar to this before with capers, lemon, and dill over pasta which Mr. ELEB loves.  I didn't have capers, pasta, or dill but I did have some great sockeye salmon so I pulled out some alternatives and, voila', a great dinner was on the table in under 20 minutes.

I served this over couscous 'cause that's what I had, but it would certainly work over pasta or rice.

Serves: 4
Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup dry white wine (or broth)
• 1 lb. sockeye salmon (or other salmon; could even use good quality canned salmon)
• 1 large bunch thin spear asparagus
• 1 1/2 TBSP toasted sesame oil
• 1 tsp each white and black sesame seeds (and more for garnish)
• Juice of 1/2 large lemon
• Salt
• 1 box of couscous (or pasta/rice)

Method:

• Poach the salmon in wine (or broth) for 8-10 minutes until just beginning to flake when you press on it (still slightly translucent)
• While the salmon poaches, steam the asparagus until tender, about 2-3 minutes and cook the couscous as directed on package.
• Chop the asparagus into 3/4 inch pieces and place in mixing bowl.
• Flake the salmon and add to the asparagus.
• Gently stir in the sesame oil, sesame seeds, lemon juice, and salt (to taste, about 1/2-3/4 tsp).  Throw in some of the poaching liquid if you like a "wetter" dish.
• Serve over couscous, garnished with more sesame seeds.

I always feel good when we get salmon on the menu at least once a week.  Use the "search" box in the top of the right column to see more salmon recipes here on the blog.  Hope you enjoy this-we sure did!

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Recipe for Another Summer Super Salad Inspiration

We enjoyed the last summer super salad so much that I've pretty much added it to the weekly rotation.  This version has refreshing and juicy watermelon mingling with blueberries, feta and mint, a simple vinaigrette and a summer staple-grilled chicken.  Once again, Mr. ELEB did his magic on the grill and contributed perfectly cooked chicken breasts.  A quick vinaigrette whipped together in the blender, a toss together of the watermelon, blueberries, feta and mint, and dinner was on the table in just about 30 minutes.


Time: 30 minutes or less
Servings: 3

Watermelon-Blueberry Drizzle
Ingredients:

• ½ cup seedless watermelon cubes
• ¼ cup blueberries
• 5 mint leaves
• 1 TBSP olive oil
• 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
• ½ tsp salt

Method:

• Blend together (in blender) until no large chunks remain-it will be watery but will thicken up with 15 minutes in the fridge.

Watermelon, Blueberry, Feta Salad

Ingredients:

• 3 cups seedless watermelon cubes
• 1 cup blueberries
• ½ cup (or more) low fat feta cheese crumbled
• 10 mint leaves (or more), finely sliced; more for garnish
• Salt (if needed, to your taste)

Method:

• Gently mix all ingredients together.  Add sprinkle of salt if needed when serving.

To prepare:

• 3 grilled chicken breasts, sliced
• 3 cups romaine (or other lettuces), shredded into bite sized pieces
• Sprinkle lettuce with watermelon blueberry drizzle and mound in center of serving platter.  
• Place chicken breasts over lettuce. 
• Sprinkle chicken with watermelon blueberry drizzle.  
• Surround lettuce and chicken with watermelon, blueberry and feta salad.  
• Garnish with mint.

A hit on all fronts!  What summer salads are you putting together?

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Recipe for Herbed Halibut Steaks over White Beans with Tomatoes

If you'd like to get a healthy, simple, and delicious meal on the table in under 20 minutes, I've got the recipe for you.  Check the source for your fish and be sure it is coming from a sustainable source and if you can't get fresh fish, look for flash frozen sustainable fish at high quality grocery stores in the freezer section.

We loved this simple dinner!

Servings: 2
Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2 halibut steaks
• 1 can white beans, drained
• 1 can (good quality) chopped tomatoes
• Mixed herb seasoning (I used Kirkland Brand Organic No Salt Seasoning)
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper
• Fresh basil, finely chopped

Method:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• Line a baking pan with parchment.
• Sprinkle olive oil and herb mixture over parchment and over both sides of fish.
• Bake fish for 7-8 minutes, until beginning to flake (don't overcook).
• While fish bakes, heat together the beans and tomatoes, with salt and pepper to taste.
• When beans and tomatoes are heated and ready to serve, stir in basil.
• Serve fish over bean/tomato mix.

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