More Ramblings.....

Well, we're down to less than 2 weeks until the "BIG DAY". In my world, this is equivalent to the wedding of Charles and Diana and I'm so excited!
"P", "B", Grace and I put together the floral part of the centerpieces this week - the colors are absolutely beautiful and I can't wait to put the entire tablescape together. Pam made a "test" cookies and creme cake; "J" did "E"'s hair for her bridal photos - everybody has been so very, very helpful and kind. We are blessed!
I have to admit that with spring break and being a little under the weather, I haven't tried a new recipe, so I decided to post one that we made this week that is definitely a family favorite: turkey burgers.
Okay, stop right there - before you say, "oh gross" and click out of my blog forever let me just tell you that there was a time when I had the exact same sentiments. I didn't even like the Costco prepackaged turkey burgers and to be honest, I'm a little surprised that I ever went out on a limb and made these. But I did and they are a definite family favorite. In fact, if you've got people in your family who are "turkey burger skeptics" I wouldn't even tell them this is turkey. Give it a try! I really don't think you'll be disappointed.

Spicy Grilled Turkey Burger with Coleslaw Recipe

Ingredients

Turkey burgers:

1 1/2 pounds ground turkey (white meat, dark meat, or a mixture)
1/2 cup fresh bread crumbs
3 Tbsp mayonnaise
2 Tbsp chopped fresh chives
1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 1/2 to 3 teaspoons of hot chile sauce such as Tabasco sauce (amount depends on how spicy you like your foods), or Tabasco Chipotle sauce
2 green onions, minced, white and green parts
4 fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced
1 teaspoon sea salt, or more to taste
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper, or more to taste
4 hamburger buns, lightly toasted
Sweet pickle slices
1 tomato, cored and sliced


Coleslaw
2 cups shredded cabbage
1 cup loosely packed arugula, watercress, or just another cup of shredded cabbage
10 basil leaves, thinly sliced
1/2 cup of mayonnaise
1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon sugar
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Method
1 Prepare your grill (either charcoal or gas) for direct high heat. Or right before cooking, heat a griddle or large cast iron frying pan on the stovetop.

2 Combine the turkey, bread crumbs, mayonnaise, chives, green onions, Worcestershire sauce, chili sauce, basil, salt and pepper in a large bowl and work the mixture with your hands to just mix. Do not over mix or the burgers will be tough. Form the mixture into 4 1-inch thick patties.
3 Season both sides of the patties w
ith salt and pepper. Grill them for 5-7 minutes on each side, until the internal temperature of the patties reach 170°F on a meat thermometer. Turkey burgers should be cooked through, not rare. Toward the end of the cooking, put the buns on the grill to toast for about a minute. Remove the burgers from the grill to a platter, cover and let rest for 5 minutes.

4 Assemble the coleslaw. Whisk the mayonnaise, vinegar, mustard, sugar, red pepper flakes together in a small bowl. Add to the cabbage, arugula, and basil in a larger bowl right before serving.

5 Assemble the burgers by placing each burger on a bottom bun, and stacking a tomato slice, some pickles, and a bit of coleslaw on top, and then topping with the top bun.

Makes 4 large burgers. Sometimes I make the coleslaw and sometimes I don't. They work with or without! Enjoy....

Ode To My Dryer

Today is your last day in my house....
For many years you were wonderful and dependable and I knew I could always go to you for warmth and comfort.
But then something happened - you began to rebel. Maybe you entered "appliance teen years".
You completely quit drying, you scorched many a piece of clothing (I still owe "S" a new white shirt) and wrinkled everything!
I put up with it until I could take it no more, so now I say "farewell".
I have high hopes that your replacement will be low-maintenance, high-yield and warm and snuggy like you used to be.
Thanks for all the good years. Hasta la vista, baby!!

My Cooking Dilema....

Okay, so this week I made two things that were both big hits - my dilema was which one to post! I decided to post the easiest one first(although if you know the way I cook, nothing is really very difficult) and save the second in case one week everything I make turns out gross. The receipe is meant as an appetizer and I made it one night when I knew dinner was going to be late. We ate it ALL and ended up counting it as dinner since we were good and full when we finished. Here's my recipe for the week:

Black and White Bean Dip
1 can of black beans-drained
1 can of white beans-drained
1 can of shoepeg corn-drained..okay I didn't have shoepeg corn and I had never even heard of it, so I just used regular corn and it was fine
1 7oz can of Herdez salsa verde
2 cups of shredded Colby Jack cheese
4-6 chopped roma tomatoes
garlic salt to taste
Avocado-optional

Preheat oven to 400. Put everything (except for the avocado) in a bowl and mix together. Spray a shallow baking dish with nonstick spray before spooning in the bean mixture. Sprinkle a little cheese on top and pop into the oven. Bake for 10-20 minutes until the cheese is melted and it is all warm and bubbly. Remove from oven and sprinkle with diced avocado and serve with tortilla chips---YUM!!

Spring Break In LA....

Tuesday we grabbed our dear friend, Grace, for a girl's day in LA at the Fashion District. When you have Grace along, everything is more fun and boy, can that girl bargain! We should all be bowing down to her, because she can get somebody to go "low, low, low" and all the time have the sweetest smile on her face.
We started in the Flower District and hit the gold mine for wedding flowers. I hope it looks as amazing in real life as it does in my head!
We headed for the Fashion District (aka "girl's heaven") where "P" and "B" found purses, dresses, shirts and makeup galore. Grace and I didn't do too badly either! It was even more fun than it sounds! When "S" and "E" make their way down this direction in May, it would be a fun way to spend a day.
What a great way to start spring break!!