Turkey Burgers: for consumption

Mister and I are trying to eat healthier, so I headed over to Food Network to search for something delicious to try. Wasn't long before I decided to try a turkey burger. It seemed safe enough. I sifted through a few recipes and settled on one that appeared to have enough flavorings to mask the awkward taste of ground turkey I had salivating on my tongue.

After gathering the ingredients, I came home to cook. The recipe was mostly quick (except for caramelizing the onion) and very simple. I cooked these turkey burgers in a skillet, then finished them in the oven. On a white sesame seed bun I spread a thin layer of mayo, a touch of ketchup, lettuce, a slice of cheese, pickles and of course the grilled onions.

I ended up picking off the lettuce, pickles and cheese. Simple really does make a better burger in this case. The meat was flavorful, juicy, seasoned perfectly and cooked to perfection (if I do say so myself!). The hot sauce gave the slightest bit of heat that lingers on your tongue after you swallow. Mister even said he would give up "real" burgers for these! Having leftovers tomorrow and I will make these again.

Turkey Burgers-Recipe courtesy of Food Network.com Recipe Address: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/turkey-burgers-recipe/index.html

I did alter the recipe in a tiny way. I wanted to use all ground turkey instead of 1/4 beef and 3/4 turkey. This ended up working well as the ground turkey I used came in a 20 oz package. I usually don't make alterations before trying a recipe as is, but this one just made sense!

Ingredients

• 1 clove garlic
• Kosher salt
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, plus 1 teaspoon
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 2 teaspoons hot sauce
• 20 ounces lean 93% ground turkey meat
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 large onion, thinly sliced
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 4 hambuger buns

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Smash the garlic cloves, sprinkle with some salt, and, with the flat side of a large knife, mash and smear the mixture to a coarse paste. Whisk the garlic with the balsamic, Worcestershire, and hot sauce in a small bowl.

Crumble the turkey large mixing bowl. Pour the garlic mixture over the meat and form into 4 (5-ounce) burgers. Cover and set aside while you cook the onions.

Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned but not mushy, about 15 minutes. Season the onions with the remaining teaspoon of balsamic and salt and pepper, to taste.

Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat for a minute. Brush 1 side of the burgers with the oil and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Cook seasoned side down until browned, about 2 minutes. Brush and season the top of the burgers, flip and cook until other side is brown, about 2 minutes more.

Transfer burgers to a baking dish and bake until an instant-read thermometer inserted side ways into the burgers registers 160 degrees F, about 5 minutes. Place the burgers on the buns or in pita and let rest for a few minutes. Serve with the caramelized onions and garnishes of your choice.

--------------------------------

Level: Easy

Time: Reasonable

Taste: Yum!

Servings: 4

Cost: Under $10- turkey, onion, buns

--------------------------------

"Scarlett Wishes"