Curry Turkey Burgers with Mango Chutney



Happy Saturday peeps! Hope your weekend is off to a good start. I've been racking my brain trying to come up with a "healthy" post for you this week after my healthy mac and cheese was an epic fail... I guess some things just aren't meant to be low fat and healthy right?! Is that the wrong attitude to have? Maybe I just need a better recipe... Any way, I was browsing through some of my instagram photos and found this one (apologies for the quality of the photo... I still haven't got the hang of taking photos with my iPhone yet) of Curry Turkey Burgers with Mango Chutney and an Asian Slaw Salad. This is definitely a lightened up burger and the asian slaw salad is a delicious substitute from ceasar salad or french fries. So this is going to constitute my healty post for the week - fitting into the light/ lower-fat category.

Even my hubby who has an aversion to lightened up versions of his favorite foods, really liked these burgers, so I am convinced that even your toughest critics will love these burgers and ask you for seconds. Oh yeah, and they're easy and quick to make, so its a win win situation. What are you waiting for? Whip these up tonight and feel good about your dinner.

Curry Turkey Burgers with Asian Slaw

Recipe adapted from Rachael Ray

Ingredients:

For the Burgers

• 1 1/3 lbs lean ground turkey or chicken (I used a combination of both)
• A handful of fresh cilantro, finely chopped
• 1 inch piece fresh ginger, finely minced
• 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
• A couple pieces of roasted red peppers, finely chopped
• coarse salt
• 2 tbsp mild curry paste or a handful of curry powder
• Drizzle of extra virgin olive oil
• Multigrain buns (4-6)
• lettuce (optional)
• guacamole (optional)
• mango chutney
• Light mayo (optional)

For the Slaw

• 1 package prepared shredded cabbage mix (coleslaw mix)
• 1/4 seedless cucumber, chopped
• 10 fresh basil leaves, shredded

For the Dressing

• 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup white vinegar
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tbsp vegetable/ canola oil

Method:

1. Combine the chicken, cilantro, ginger, garlic, roasted peppers, salt and curry paste in a large bowl. Form into five patties. Brush or drizzle patties on both sides with a tiny bit of olive oil.
2. Pan fry the patties in a non-stick pan for approximately 6 minutes per side, or until cooked through. Pile patties onto buns and top with lettuce, mango chutney and guacamole (maybe not if you're watching your fat intake), and light mayo (again - go easy on this if you're watching your fat intake).
3. For the slaw, combine the cabbage, cucumber and basil in a large bowl. Combine dressing ingredients in a small plastic container and shake vigorously for one minute. Drizzle sauce evenly over vegetables and toss to coat. Let stand for 10 minutes and re-toss salad. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds if desired.   Serve with the turkey burgers.

I'm off to start up on my Saturday kitchen project... top secret productions in preparation for the February Secret Recipe Club!! Woot! Can't wait to share with you. :)

Happy Cooking my Friends!

On the 2nd Day of Christmas... Chutney Baked Brie

No holiday dinner is complete without a delicious appetizer; something hot, rich and delicious to nibble on while waiting for the turkey to come out of the oven and the gravy to be made. I found this fantastic recipe for baked brie that is quick and tastes amazing. Serve this baked brie with fresh baguette slices or some yummy crackers and you're set. Your guests will love how beautiful the brie looks when its plated and you will love how quickly it comes together.


For best results on this recipe, use a high quality curry powder that packs a bit of spice to it. I used some fabulous curry powder given to me by a wonderful woman who toasts and grinds her own amazing spice blends! It really does make all the difference to use good quality curry powder though - it actually smells and tastes different than the stuff you buy in the grocery store.

Chutney Baked Brie

Recipe from Allrecipes.com

Ingredients:

• 1 - 2.2lb wheel of double creme brie
• 2 tsp good quality curry powder
• 1 - 12oz jar mango chutney
• 1 cup chopped cashews
• 1 french baguette, sliced
• assorted crackers

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 350F.
2. Sprinkle curry powder over top and sides of brie and massage into rind to thoroughly coat the cheese. Place brie wheel in a large pie plate or other oven-proof dish. Spread a generous layer of chutney on top of the cheese wheel. Evenly sprinkle with cashews.
3. Bake 15 minutes in preheated oven, or until cashews are golden brown and cheese is melty. Serve with baguette slices and crackers.

I hope this recipe inspires you to try something new for your Christmas menu this year! Your guests will enjoy it and you will love that this appetizer doesn't take hours in the kitchen or oodles of patience - it is not a finicky recipe (because who has time for that at Christmas-time right?!).

Stay tuned for the 3rd day of Christmas recipe - you can look forward to a second appetizer recipe for your family and friends to nibble on while you finish making dinner! You might be thinking: "I have enough to do already, why make an appetizer?". Well I'll tell you why you want to throw together a couple of easy appy's for your guests. When you have easy, low-stress appetizer recipes, you can toss them together and serve them to your guests about 1-2 hours before dinner is ready. This will keep them occupied and satisfied while you put the finishing touches on dinner - without your "starving" guests hovering around asking when dinner will be ready!! ;)

Happy Cooking my Friends!