Turkey-Apple Sandwiches

These were a last-minute concoction that turned out quite yummy! They're very simple, with no cooking (duh--it's a sandwich!), but they have some tart granny smith apple slices for an added crunch.

You'll need (for 4 sandwiches):

1. 8 slices Wheat bread (I used 9-gram Sara Lee because they are large slices)
2. 1/2 lb. thick sliced turkey (again, Sara Lee, sliced fresh in the grocery store deli)
3. 1 Granny Smith apple, sliced
4. Spicy or Dijon Mustard

You'll make them by:

1. Preheat your oven broiler on high.
2. Place all the bread slices on a large cookie sheet and brown them for about 2 minutes, or until lightly toasted. I like the soft, freshness of wheat bread, so I only toast one side of it. But, if you want both sides toasted, just flip the slices over and toast another 2 minutes. It's helpful to toast at least one side to keep the bread from getting soggy if not eating the sandwiches immediately.
3. Spread mustard lightly on the toasted side of each bread slice.
4. Place apple slice(s) on 4 of the pieces of toast atop the mustard.
5. Top the apple with 2 oz. of turkey for each sandwich.
6. Place the other bread slice, mustard side down on top of the turkey.
7. Cut diagonally and serve with veggies and dip, fruit salad, or chips!

Nam! Nam!

Mushroom-Swiss Turkey Burgers

Craving a burger, but don't want to down that many calories in a meal? Well, here's a tasty alternative to a beefy cheeseburger. It's full of flavor, and can be served alongside a tossed salad or sliced, fresh veggies.

You need:

1. 1 lb. ground turkey
2. 2 tspn dijon mustard
3. 1 tspn cajun seasoning
4. 1 tspn garlic powder
5. 1/2 tspn dried parsley
6. 1 small yellow onion, thinly sliced
7. 1/2 pint sliced mushrooms
8. 3 tspn teriyaki sauce
9. 1 tbsp water
10. 2 tspn dry red wine
11. 1 tspn olive oil
12. 4 hamburger buns
13. 4 slices Swiss cheese

You will:

1. Turn oven broiler on high.
2. Combine turkey, mustard, cajun seasoning, garlic powder, and parsley in a large bowl. Form into 4 patties and set aside.
3. Heat a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onions and mushrooms to pan, and cook for about 6 minutes.
4. Combine teriyaki sauce, red wine and water in a small bowl.
5. Add about 3 tspn of teriyaki mixture to pan with onions and mushrooms. Stir constantly, until sauce is reduced, about 1 minute.
6. Place vegetables in a bowl off to the side and replace pan on stove eye.
7. Add olive oil to pan and rotate the pan so that the oil covers all of the bottom.
8. Place the patties in the pan and cook for about 5 minutes.
9. Spoon about a tspn of the teriyaki mixture onto each patty and turn them. Cook on the second side about 3 minutes, or until cooked through.
10. Open 4 hamburger buns on a cookie sheet. Place one piece of Swiss cheese on each of the bottom buns, and place under the broiler for about 1-2 minutes, until cheese is melted.
11. Spread dijon mustard on the top buns. Place a patty on each of the bottom buns. Top with 1/4 of the onion-mushroom mixture. Add the top bun, and serve.

Nam! Nam!

Ham and Mushroom Quiche

1. This is a great main dish to any breakfast or brunch. Full of protein plus some veggies, for an extra nutritious punch!

You need:

1. 6-8 oz turkey sausage, diced
2. 1/2 cup diced yellow onion
3. 3/4 cup diced mushrooms
4. tspn butter
5. 3/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
6. 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
7. 5 oz evaporated milk
8. 8 oz light sour cream
9. 2 large eggs
10. 2 large egg whites
11. 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
12. 1 tspn baking powder
13. 1 tspn parsley
14. 1 tspn salt
15. 1/2 tspn black pepper

You will:

1. Preheat oven to 350F.
2. Grease an 8-inch round baking dish with the butter.
3. Sprinkle 1/4 cup parmesan cheese in the bottom of the baking dish.
4. Heat mushrooms and onions over medium heat in a medium saucepan. Saute about 4 minutes, stirring frequently.
5. Add diced sausage to pan with onions and mushrooms. Allow to cook about 5 minutes, or until onion is brown and mushrooms are tender.
6. In a large bowl, combine eggs, egg whites, sour cream and evaporated milk.
7. In a smaller bowl, combine flour and baking powder.
8. Using a fork or whisk, add flour mixture to egg mixture while stirring constantly.
9. Add parmesan and cheddar cheeses, salt, black pepper, and parsley to egg mixture.
10. Add meat and veggies into baking dish. Spread mixture so that it is in an even layer.
11. Pour egg mixture over the meat and veggies.
12. Place baking dish on a cookie sheet (in case the quiche runs over) in the oven for 50 minutes, or until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean.
13. Allow quiche to sit on counter for 10 minutes.
14. Slice and serve alongside grits, biscuits, and fruit salad for a scrumptio-deli-uptious brunch!

Nam! Nam!

Tai Turkey Burger and Sweet Potato Fries

My mother found this recipe a few years ago, and it has totally changed my life. These burgers are so good, it's hard for me to go back to the regular turkey burger. Luckily they're pretty easy, and all of the ingredients I keep on hand.

Grocery List:
1.) 1 lb or so of ground turkey
2.) Peanut butter
3.) Scallions
4.) Cilantro
5.) Bread crumbs
6.) Buns... I prefer sesame.
7.) 1 or 2 Sweet Potatoes
8.) Cumin, if you don't already have it...

Start by washing the potatoes. Cut off the ends, pierce them with a knife, and throw them in the microwave for about 6 minutes. Once they're done, slice them to the size you prefer you fries, spread them out on a cookie sheet, sprinkle them with salt, Lawry's, and cumin, then cook them in the oven at about 350 while you're making the burgers.

For the burgers, you're going to want to put a few spoonfuls of peanut butter in a microwave safe dish, and heat it for about 30 seconds, to a minute... or until it's good and melted. Add 4-6 cut up scallions and a few handfuls of minced cilantro to the bowl, then throw in about 1/2 a cup or so of bread crumbs. Add your meat, and mix well. You should be able to form 5 or 6 good sized burgers from this mixture.

When your burgers are ready to cook, spray a large skillet with non-stick cooking spray, and then put them in. Cook on med-high heat, and let it brown on one side before turning it over... otherwise, it's going to fall apart.

Once the burgers are done, take out the sweet potatoes, and you're ready to eat. I prefer them on a sesame bun with mayo, red onion, tomato, and lettuce... nomnomnom!!!