Taco Turkey Burger

With the summer winding down, and the colder weather coming in we have been trying to grill as much as possible. This is one of those oh my gosh what are we going to eat for dinner type of recipes, and since I had some turkey on hand it was really a no brainer. Well the burger idea was a no brainer but what kind of burger was another story. We had just had Teriyaki Burgers so that was out, and I was craving Mexican so why not a taco burger. And boy am I glad I made these yummy burgers definitely a keeper recipe. Here's a little secret to getting your burgers seasoned right; test them by making a tini tiny burger and cooking it in a frying pan and tasting it because really how else can you tell if the seasoning is right.. Well besides eating raw meat.. yuck... I do this with meatballs too, I was always under seasoning them and now that I think about it not a bad idea for meatloaf either. After tasting my tini tiny sample I decided it needed a little something.. I decided on two spoonfuls of salsa added to the meat micture. Ah perfect! 

Taco Turkey Burger 

Item Needed

Grill

Serves 2

Prep time  5 mins

Cook Time depends on desired doneness  

• 2-3 tbsp taco seasoning
• 1/2 pkg. ground Turkey
• salt/pepper
• Wholly Guacamole,optonal
• 2 spoonfuls salsa 
• Salsa Topping,optional
• Cheese,optional
• Banana Peppers, optional
• Sour Cream, optional

• Season turkey with the taco seasoning, salt and pepper, and two spoonfuls of the salsa then lightly mix it all together and form 2 patties and press a thumb print in the middle (so it doesn't puff up)
• Now make your tini tiny burger and fry it up.. give a taste, is it ok or does it need more? Add more if it needs if not head out to the grill
• Grill patties over medium high heat for 5-8 minutes per side, depending on desired doneness  
• I added a slice of Monteray Jack cheese 1 minute before pulling off the grill
• Top with your favorite fixin's 

Eat and Enjoy!!

Mango Salsa

You will continue to hear me say this all summer but I love grilling.. and all the things that go along with it!! So to go along with my Grilled Shrimp I made a little Mango Salsa to spice things up. The sweet and spicy of the salsa goes really well with the shrimp. I have to admit that I still find Mangoes intimidating... I have a hard time picking ripe ones but nonetheless I love the flavor, and sweetness they add. This is a very simple dish and very refreshing... Works great with some tortilla chips too!!!

Mango Salsa

Items needed:

Mango slicer if you have one if not a good knife

• 2 Mangoes, cut in 1/4 inch pieces
• 1 lime
• 1/4 red onion, finely diced
• 1 tsp chili powder
• honey, to taste 
• salt, to taste
• pepper, to taste

• Cut up the mango, if you have never done it before take a look at Elsie's how to over at Simply Recipes. 
• Mix mangoes and red onion, with the chili powder, salt, pepper and honey. Squeeze the juice of one lime over the mixture and give it a few good stirs.   Give it a good taste and add more of the honey or chili powder to taste. Same with the salt and pepper. Place in refrigerator for 1-2 hours then serve with Grilled Shrimp or grilled chicken. YUMMY!!

Eat and Enjoy!!

Salsa Chicken with Corn and Black Bean Salad

While watching an episode of The Best Thing I Ever Ate....  Snack Attack on Food Network and seeing all the yummy snacks I got a craving for Mexican. They were showing Nachos that oozed with a creamy cheese sauce and chili and Taquitos with a Spicy Red Sauce. So I went to the kitchen to see what I had on hand, Chicken, salsa, corn and black beans was all I had so that's what it would be. I have made this salsa chicken many times it is a really simple meal that came together great with with the corn and black bean salad. 

Salsa Chicken

Items Needed:

Baking Dish 

Preheat oven

425 degrees

• 1/2 tsp chili powder
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp garlic salt
• 1 jar salsa, I use Newman's Own Pineapple Salsa
• 3 chicken breasts,skinless boneless
• Cheddar Jack cheese, shredded 
• Sour Cream, optional
• Blue Corn Chips,optional
• Lime juice 

• Mix first four ingredients together more or less to taste
• Pat dry chicken and season generously with the above mixture, place chicken in baking dish and spoon salsa over chicken enough to cover each piece
•  Cook uncovered for 25-35 minutes then cover each piece with cheese turn oven to broil and cook an additional 2-4 minutes to melt cheese.
• Serve with sour cream and crumbled chips and a squeeze of lime. 
 

Corn and Black Bean Salad

• 1 can black beans,drained and rinsed
• 1 can corn, drained
• 1/4 red onion, finely chopped **
• 1/4 c apple cider vinegar, its what I had you can use red wine vinegar also 
• 1 tbsp sugar, more to taste
• 1/2 tsp garlic salt
• 1 tsp chili powder, more to taste
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1 tbsp hot sauce, more to taste 
• lime juice

• Mix all ingredients together, adding more sugar, salt, chili powder and hot sauce to taste. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour up to overnight. Finish off with a squeeze of lime juice.

*** I soaked the red onion in cold water for about 30 minutes or so it takes away the bite and bitterness that raw red onion has. It really mellows the flavor out.