Turkey Burger Sliders

I got this recipe from Food Network (Guy Fieri) and changed it up just a bit. These were soooo yummy! I will definitely be making them again!

1 pound ground turkey
1 cups Panko bread crumbs
1/3 cup milk
1 egg
1 tablespoon sage
1 tablespoon fresh thyme
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper, freshly cracked
1 cup mushrooms, sliced (optional)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 cup butter, unsalted
3 tablespoons canola oil
1 red onion, sliced
Slider buns
Swiss Cheese

Directions

In a large bowl, add the panko, milk, egg, sage, thyme and salt and pepper. Combine and let sit for a few minutes. Add in the turkey and combine well. Form into small patties. Place on a parchment paper lined sheet pan and refrigerate for 20-30 minutes.

While burgers are resting, in a large saute pan, heat 1/4 cup of the butter and 1 Tablespoon canola oil. Add onions and saute 15 to 20 minutes or until nicely caramelized. Set aside, but keep warm.

In the same pan as the onions sauteed, add 3 tablespoons canola oil and the mushrooms and saute 6-8 minutes over medium high heat until softened. Set aside, but keep warm.

Heat a griddle or cast iron skillet to medium high heat, add 1 Tablespoon canola oil and spread evenly. Add in the turkey burgers and cook for 4 to 5 minutes per side. Remove from heat, cover and keep warm.

Butter the buns and grill lightly. Place burger, onions and mushrooms, on grilled bun. Enjoy!!! Trust me, you won't be disappointed!

As always, time to eat 'n run!

Grilled Pizza

This was probably the easiest thing I've ever made and my Mom said this was the best pizza she has ever eaten!!!

Pizza Crust (makes 4)

4c. flour
1 1/2 tsp. active dry yeast
1 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
1 1/2 c. ice cold water
2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil

Mix first 3 ingredients in a mixer with hook attachment until blended. Drizzle oil and water in a slow steady stream. Mix on low for 3 minutes, then high for 5 minutes. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise for 1 1/2 - 2 hours. Punch dough down, shape into large ball and cut into 4 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a ball and place on a lightly greased cookie sheet. Cover with a damp towel and let stand in a cool place for 1 hour.

Once the dough is ready - stretch it out and put on your toppings!!! I used tomato/basil sauce, provolone cheese, shredded Italian cheese, fresh tomato slices, torn basil and spinach, baby bella mushrooms and grilled onions; topped off with salt and pepper -(of course!) As far as toppings go, the possibilities are endless - use whatever you like!!!

Place onto well greased, preheated grill and grill on medium with lid closed for about 10-15 minutes.

After running 20 miles this morning - this was the perfect way to end the day!!! I did two of my favorite things today; long runs and grilling! As always...got to eat 'n run!

Grilled Peppers and Sausage with Cheese Grits

I made this for dinner the other night...not super healthy, but it is really good! And - as long as you don't eat like this every night, it won't hurt ya!!! I got this recipe from Southern Living (July 2011 issue).

2 medium size red bell peppers, cut into quarters
2 medium size sweet onions, cut into quarters
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 tsp. fresh thyme leaves (I used dried)
1 tsp. salt, divided
1 pkg. garlic pork sausage links (I used Italian sausage)
2 (14.5 oz) cans chicken broth
1 c. uncooked quick cooking grits
2 Tbsp. butter
1 c. grated Parmesan cheese
1/3 cup chopped fresh basil
1/2 tsp. freshly ground pepper

Preheat grill to medium-high. Toss peppers and onion with olive oil, thyme, and 1 tsp. salt.

Grill pepper mixture and sausage at same time, covered with grill lid. Grill pepper mixture, turning occasionally, 8-10 minutes. Grill sausage 5 minutes on each side or until done.

Bring remaining 1/2 tsp. salt, chicken broth, and 1/2 c. water to a boil in a 3 qt. saucepan; slowly stir in grits, reduce heat, and simmer 12 minutes or until thickened and creamy, stirring often. Remove from heat, and stir in butter and next 3 ingredients.

It took about 45 minutes from start to finish and was delicious! Since I had a mid-week run of 10 miles and a weekend run of 17, I didn't feel too guilty about eating this!!!

Until next time...gotta eat 'n run!

Meatloaf (made with turkey burger)

Tonight for dinner I made meatloaf...per my daughter's request. She NEVER wanted meatloaf when she lived at home, but now she asks for it! This is the recipe that I have used forever...but for the last couple of years I've used turkey burger. You honestly cannot tell. My daughter's friend had dinner with us tonight and she was shocked when I told her that it was made with turkey! So, here's the recipe:

1 lb. turkey burger
1 green pepper finely chopped
1 red onion finely chopped
1 c. oats
1 egg
1 c. milk
Salt and pepper

Mix together by hand and shape into 2 loaf shapes on a cookie sheet covered with aluminum foil. I leave one loaf plain so my hubby can put gravy over his and on the other one I put my "special sauce"...which is ketchup, mustard and brown sugar mixed together. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hr and 10 minutes.

We also had mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans and biscuits. Unless I have tons of time, (which I usually don't) I just use the OreIda Steamers...they are good and FAST! I like the fresh green beans that you steam in the bag and add butter, salt and pepper. The biscuits were frozen too!

There is no picture for tonight's dinner because they were digging in before I could stop them!!!

For dessert, we had Pineapple Upside Down Cake. Melt 1/2 stick of butter in a 9X13 pan, add 2/3 c. packed brown sugar and place your pineapples and cherries in the pan. I use a yellow cake mix...follow the directions on the box, but substitute the water with the pineapple juice from the can. Pour into cake pan on top of pineapples and bake at 350 for 35 minutes. YUMMY!!!

Good thing I am running tomorrow - I am STUFFED!!! Well time to eat 'n run!

Asian Sesame Salad with Blackened Shrimp

I made this for a light dinner last night.  I got the recipe from kraftrecipes.com. which I tweaked just a tiny bit!   It was very crunchy and filling!  I used Emeril's Creole seasoning on the large deveined, peeled shrimp that I had drizzled with olive oil and then grilled it over medium high heat-about 3-4 minutes on each side.  I placed that on top of a bed of spinach, shredded red and green cabbage, and shredded carrots. I also steamed snow peas and put that on the salad topped with Kraft Asian Toasted Sesame dressing.  Enjoy!

Grilled Pork Chops and Veggies

Friday nights are for taking it easy. Since I have to get up for an early morning run on Saturdays...I like to get dinner over with, relax and get in bed early.  Few dinners are easier than this one...

Take some pork chops (bone in) and drizzle with olive oil, coarse salt and fresh cracked black pepper. Slice, on the diagonal, squash and zucchini and mix with olive oil, salt and pepper.  Put the vegetables in a grill pan and place on a preheated grill.  (I always preheat the grill on high, and for this meal - turn it down to medium after I put the food on.  However, grills differ - so use your best judgement!)  Put your chops on the grill at the same time.  Grill chops 8-10 minutes on each side and move your veggies around frequently so they don't burn.  When everything is looking like it's about finished, I put a couple of slices of sesame seed Italian bread that is buttered on the grill.  Sometimes I will chop fresh garlic and parsley and mix with the butter - but hubby just wanted the bread plain this evening! 

For dessert - we had angel food cake with fresh strawberries, blueberries, and whipped cream!  DELISH! 

The simplicity of this meal is what makes it so great!  It's fast, easy, and pretty healthy! And, most importantly - gets me in and out of the kitchen coz clean up is a breeze!  One of my friends says she doesn't have success with pork chops - but she hasn't used the bone in chops.  That is the key - when the meat is on the bone it helps to keep it moist and yummy.  She stopped by while I was grilling tonight and said she was going to try it!  We'll see what she has to say!

Well, bedtime is calling my name - I have a 20 mile training run in the morning! Until next time...

let's eat 'n run!

Getting started...

Thanks to many co-workers and friends, I've decided to start a blog.  Did they say, "hey, you should start a blog?'  No, they did not.  But, a lot of people have asked me for my recipes, so I thought I would put them on here instead of writing them down, making copies, and handing them out to everyone!  I have also been told that I am a health nut...not true - I just enjoy working out and I enjoy eating healthy (most of the time!) As the title suggests, I will be blogging about two of my favorite things; FOOD and RUNNING!   

I'm not computer savvy, nor do I know the first thing about blogging - so this should be an interesting journey!  But, I can cook - so be on the lookout for some great recipes...and maybe a few fitness tips too!

So get ready to eat 'n run!!!