Mesquite Mediterranean Ground Chicken Burgers

I love the Mediterranean flavors of Cilantro and Feta Cheese.   These burgers are super moist by adding the cilantro, feta cheese and scallions right into the ground chicken mixture.  These are super great tasting, healthy and guilt free. The crisp crunch of the fresh cucumber is a nice asset.


2 lbs ground chicken
1/2 cup cilantro, fresh chopped
1/4 cup scallions, chopped
4 ozs Feta cheese, cubed
salt and pepper, to taste
6 slices red onion
6 slices fresh red tomatoes
1 cup shredded lettuce
1 cucumber, sliced
1/2 cup banana peppers
1/2 cup roasted red bell  peppers
6 Tbs mayonnaise

6 sesame seed hamburger buns.

In a bowl combine ground chicken, cilantro, scallions and feta cheese, add salt and pepper, to taste.  Mix well.  Mold into 6 individual patties.  Grill on mesquite flavored charcoal grill. (or mesquite flavored gas grill).

Place bottom part of buns on platter.  Place a grilled patty on top of each bottom bun. On top of each patty add, onion, tomato, lettuce, cucumber, banana peppers, roasted bell peppers and mayonnaise.  Add top bun to each burger.  Enjoy!!!

Make sure to season mixture before grilling patties.  Mixture can be made ahead of time and refrigerated to marinade flavors.

Lobster Mac and Cheese

Ingredients:
1 lb cooked pasta ( I like medium shells) Cooked a little harder than al dente.
Note: Pasta will cook further in sauce when baked in oven.
3 lobster tails, raw
1/2 stick butter
4 Tbs olive oil
1 cup milk or half and half
8 ozs cheddar cheese
8 ozs american cheese ( I like Land o' Lakes)
1/8 cup grated cheese (I use combo of Romano and Parm)
1 tsp chicken bouillon
1/8 cup wine cooking wine
salt and pepper, to taste
2 cups crushed potato chips or ritz cracker.  (We used Lay's Honey BBQ Chips)  Ritz work great too.

Directions:
1.  Use medium sauce pan, heat butter and oil on low heat.
2.  Add tails and saute until turns pink, remove from pan
3.  Add milk, cheeses, bouillon and wine, simmer on low until cheeses are melted.
4.  Peel lobster meat from shell, dice and add to sauce, stir.
5.  add salt and pepper, to taste
6.  Add cooked pasta to sauce, stir
7.  Add to baking dish
8.  Add crushed chips to top of mac.
Bake until crumbs are crispy.  Approx. 20 mins.

Note:  Because of the salt content in ingredients, make sure to test dish before adding additional salt.

Red Lentil and Flaxseed Pasta

Red Lentil and Flax Seed Pasta

with anchovy and prosciutto 

in a vodka cream sauce

This recipe was pretty cool to make.  Combination of all these wonderful flavors going on.  You have the salty from the anchovies, smoky from the prosciutto, nutty from the lentils and flax seeds and rich and creamy from the cream cheese.  A delightful dish!!!!    Why don't you give it a try.

Ingredients:
1 cup Red Lentil
1/2 cup flax seeds
1 small onion, chopped
12 oz prosciutto, or other bacon, chopped
2 garlic cloves, chopped
2 ozs anchovies, packed in olive oil
1/4 cup vodka
1 can (28 ozs) crushed tomatoes
1-1 1/2 cans water, (use empty crushed tomato can)
3 large basil leaves, chopped
4 ozs cream cheese, (half package)
grated cheese
salt and pepper, to taste

1.  In large skillet, on medium heat, saute lentils and flax seeds in olive oil.
2.  Add onion and prosciutto, saute until prosciutto is slightly crispy.
3.  Add garlic and anchovies, saute for few mins.
4.  Add vodka..stirring to deglaze pan.
5.  Add tomatoes, water and basil, stir and simmer covered for 1 hour (or until lentils are soft)
6.  Stir in cream cheese and grated cheese, taste.
7.  Add salt and pepper, according to taste.
8.  Simmer, covered while water for favorite pasta cooks.

   

Cilantro Potato Cakes

Fry oil
2 cups prepared mashed potatoes
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
8 eggs, plus 2 eggs beaten separate in bowl
1 cup seasoned bread crumbs
salt and pepper, to taste
Chopped cherry peppers. (optional)

Corn Salsa Ingredients:
1 cup corn
1/2 cup choice of bell peppers, chopped
1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
1/8 cup red onion, chopped
1/8 cup black olives, chopped
2 Tbs capers
2 Tbs olive oil
2 Tbs vinegar
salt and pepper, to taste


Directions:
In bowl mix prepared mashed potatoes, cilantro and egg.  Season with salt and pepper.  In two separate bowls add bread crumb to one and 2 beaten eggs to other.  Divide potatoes into 8 patties.  Dip each patty into egg and then bread crumb.  Saute patties in hot oil in large skillet over medium heat.  Brown, then flip and brown other side.  Remove from pan and let rest on sheet of paper towels.  Fry eggs, then place an egg on top of each patty while serving. Top with cherry peppers (Optional).  Serve with Corn Salsa (recipe included) or by itself.