Cajun Turkey Burger

So I just got an iphone.  A 3GS not a 4, but that's enough for me especially considering the phone I had just a few days ago. It's pretty fun!  I've been having a fun time exploring and seeing all the different things it does.  I just discovered an app from Whole Foods that has a bunch of different recipes:  Whole Foods recipe app

It's pretty cool because you can specify dietary needs, and type in the different ingredients you have on hand and it will come up with a recipe for you.  Oh the options.  I'm also a fan of Words with Friends and was excited to 'check in' at my first restaurant this morning on foursquare.  I'm actually feeling a tad overwhelmed with all of this technology...

Anyway,  these burgers were dinner a few nights ago.  I always feel like a good wife when I make burgers.  The recipe was modified from foodnetwork.com not the Whole Foods app...those will probably be coming soon.

Cajun Turkey Burgers

1 lb ground turkey
1/2 lb green bell pepper chopped (about 1/2 c)
1/2 c chopped onion
several shakes of cajun seasoning (about 2 tsps)
salt and pepper to taste

Combine ingredients and form 4 patties.  I grilled mine on the George Foreman, but you could also use a real grill or a skillet.

Sauce: 

1/4 c ranch dressing
2 tsps hot sauce

stir together.

I served my burgers on whole wheat buns with chopped tomato, sauce, and grilled pineapple on top.

Coconut Mocha Smoothie

So you know how Starbucks has their seasonal coffee drinks?  For some reason I always get really excited about them.  But I rarely go to Starbucks anyway and when I do I always get iced green tea with a teeny tiny bit of simple syrup or some sort of hot tea. And when I finally say ok ok I'll treat myself to the Coconut Mocha Frappucino, I'm always a tad disappointed.  I mean it tasted pretty good, but was it worth my $5?  Especially without whipped cream?  I really don't know...

Anyway, this was my attempt at making something with actual nutrients but that also had that coconutty, coffee, chocolate taste.  It's obviously no Starbucks, but it still tastes pretty delicious.

Coconut Mocha Smoothie

1 frozen banana
2/3 c coconut
1 heaping tsp plain non-fat yogurt
1 1/2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 tsp instant coffee powder
1 tbsp ground flax seed
1/2 c soy milk
honey to taste

Combine all ingredients in blender and blend away.

Now...I have a secret.  I did actually put spinach in mine too...because with all of the other flavors any trace of spinach taste is gone. So I mean...if you're up for it try it.

Quinoa with Corn/Basil Topping

I am no good at making original names for recipes...as you can probably tell.

Anyway,  I had three ears of corn and wanted to make something new besides just corn on the cob.  I was thinking soup or something like that, but although it's been a little chilly I don't think it's time just yet to start making soups.  I do think that this dish looks pretty festive though for the upcoming season.

Quinoa with Corn/Basil Topping
Serves 2 but you can double or triple the recipe

Quinoa

1/2 c quinoa
1/2 c chopped carrots
1 1/4 c water
a little bit of salt

Prepare as box says.

Corn/Basil Topping

Cooked corn cut off of 3 ears (about 2 cups)
1 tbsp melted butter
1 tbsp milk
1 clove garlic
1/4 c fat free feta
a few shakes of crushed red pepper
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 c fresh basil cut into small pieces

Combine all ingredients except basil in the food processor until mostly smooth.  Stir in basil.
Top Quinoa mixture and serve.

Peach Cobbler

So Labor Day, kinda a sad day and kind of not.  Summer just seemed to go so fast this year...and of course we didn't get to do all of the things we said we were going to do or wanted to do.  Oh well.  It will still be warm for a little while more.  But Fall brings great things!  Especially for my taste buds.  Specifically Butternut squash (you will be seeing a lot of recipes using it..YUM!), hot Apple Cider, Dogfish Head Punkin Ale, trying the black bean brownies with pumpkin puree instead of bananas, apples from Soergels Orchards and so much more!

Anyway, I made this Peach Cobbler and these Pretzel Brownies for our Labor Day Festivities.  We had two different family gatherings to go to with John's family.  We had a lot of fun and the desserts seemed to be a hit!  Always a good thing.

I have never attempted Peach Cobbler before but found a recipe that sounded delicious in the August 2011 issue of EveryDay with Rachael Ray and really wanted to try it.  

Peach Cobbler

11 medium peaches, peeled and sliced
2/3 c sugar
1 1/2 cups plus 2 tbsp. flour (I used white flour since I was making it for a bunch of people but I would love it with whole wheat flour as well)
1/2 c yellow cornmeal
1 lemon, zested
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 stick unsalted butter, chilled
1 c heavy cream
1/4 c milk

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.  Set aside 1 tbsp of butter to soften to room temperature.

In a large bowl, combine the peaches, 1/4 c sugar, and 2 tbsp flour and toss well.

In another bowl, combine 1 1/2 c flour, cornmeal, 1/3 c sugar, lemon zest, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

Grate the stick of butter using the large holed grater into the bowl of dried ingredients. By the time I was done doing this I had butter all over my hands and a little bit that I wasn't able to keep grating.  I just cut the rest into tiny pieces with a knife.  Toss butter with flour mixture only a little bit.  Put back in the refrigerator.

Use the reserved tbsp of butter to grease a 9 x 13 baking dish.  Pour peach mixture into dish, cover with foil, and bake for 20 minutes.

When peaches are done baking, pour heavy cream and milk into flour/butter mixture and stir until just combined.  Pour of peach mixture covering as evenly as possible.  Bake for about 20 minutes, until the top is golden brown.

Peach season is still in it's prime!  Until the end of September so hurry up and make this one.  Last taste of summer before the wonderful tastes of fall!

Good n Green Smoothie

Breakfast!  Ok...so this picture looks pretty gross  but there's just not a good way to take pictures of these things....plus I took a couple sips before I took the picture so there's smoothie residue all around the glass.  Gross.  But it definitely doesn't taste gross!  So try it out!

Good n Green Smoothie

1/2 frozen banana (I keep a bag of frozen bananas in my freezer)
1/2 c spinach
1/2 c frozen pineapple
1/4 c carrot (or about 5 baby carrots, or one small whole carrot)
1/2 brewed green tea
1/4 cup milk
a splash or two of juice (I used a splash of Dole orange, pineapple, banana and a splash on Sobe pure pineapple, but you can use whatever you have on hand)
enough water to make it blendable
Honey to taste

Combine all ingredients in blender and pour into glass.  You can add yogurt, or flax seed if you want for extra nutrients.  Smoothies are just so versatile and easy.  If you come up with a delicious smoothie recipe, please let me know!

Raspberry Smoothie with a hint of coffee

I make smoothies almost everyday for breakfast and why not?  These ones are full of good stuff your body needs to start off the day!  Once it gets cooler I'll probably start in on the oatmeal..but for now I'm still loving the smoothies.  I have quite a bit of recipes but haven't documented any so thought it was about time.

Now I just want to tell you before I write the recipe.  The first ingredient is spinach, as it is with most of my smoothies.  But don't stop reading yet!  You can't taste it. honest.  And it's a good thing to start your day off with the green stuff.

Raspberry Smoothie with a hint of coffee

 1/2 c spinach (frozen or fresh)
3/4 c frozen raspberries
1 tbsp ground flax seed
1 tsp instant coffee
2 tbsp non-fat plain yogurt, Greek or normal (or just two heaping tsps full whatever looks right)
1/2 c milk (I use light Soy but you can use normal too)
1/4 c water
Honey to desired sweetness, I just kinda swirl a little bit in

Add all ingredients to blender and blend!  Easy peasy!  In this smoothie you have a ton of vitamins, omega 3's, calcium, fiber, potassium, and just a little bit of caffeine.  On top of all that, it is delicious and what makes it even more so is knowing all of the good things you are putting into your body.

Black Bean Corn Salad

I know what you're thinking, something else made with black beans???  I know I know...but this salad is perfect to bring to picnics or end of summer dinners.  My mom used to make this all the time, but she couldn't find the original recipe.  I pretty much remembered how to make it...but used google just to spur my memory.  Most recipes call for a red bell pepper however Trader Joe's happened to be out the day I went so I got a green one.  To be honest though, I can't really tell that much of a difference between green and red bell peppers.  Are my taste buds messed up?  I'd really like to know.  I do think that the red bell pepper would make for a better picture....but what's done is done.

Black Bean Corn Salad

1/2 c red onion (about 1/2 of a medium sized onion)
1 bell pepper (green or red)
1/2 c cilantro leaves
1 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp red wine vinegar
1 tbsp lime juice
1 can corn drained
2 cans black beans drained and rinsed
salt and pepper to taste


Chop the onion, bell pepper and cilantro leaves.  I used my chopper (like a slap chop but not) and it was a lot of fun. I don't know why I don't use it more often.  Mix together.
Add black beans and corn.  Mix well.
Finally add olive oil, vinegar, lime juice and salt and pepper.  You can add more of the liquids if it seems to dry or to taste.