WIAW: Spinach, Feta Turkey Burgers

Before I start What I Ate Wednesday, I gotta give a shout out to my little brother who turns 28 today!

Ole!

This was last year's birthday at the best Mexican restaurant in town.  He doesn't normally wear a sombrero.  My bro is definitely on my list of my top 5 favorite people.  He is super fun and awesome.  Definitely a great brother.

Happy Birthday, DJ!  I hope you have a great 28th birthday!

Ok, let's talk about food stuff now!

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Breakfast, Part 1: Rice Cake

This caramel rice cake with almond butter was consumed at 4:45 this morning (Tuesday) before a very challenging boot camp workout!

Breakfast, Part 2: Egg & Avo Sandwich

It was pretty cloudy today, so I guess my pictures are gonna be less than top notch.  Oh well.  For breakfast's main event, I had a toasted whole grain English muffin topped with half of a sliced avocado and a fried egg.  I smushed it all together to make a dippy egg sandwich delight.

I also had some Trop50 orange juice & the most delicious coffee!

Here it is, y'all.  Normally I would not spend $11.99 (seriously, Fresh Market, what are you thinking?) on coffee, but for peanut butter cups, all bets are off.

This coffee is super delicious!  The peanut butter flavor is very subtle, but it is decadent and totally worth the large price tag!  {weird coincidence: June 12th is National Peanut Butter Cookie Day!  I guess I celebrated with peanut butter coffee ;)}

Mid Morning Snack: Cottage Cheese Single

This is a Breakstone's 100 calorie Cottage Double, strawberry flavor.  It is a little snack pack of cottage cheese and some strawberry preserves.  I like to grab these at the store for on the go snacks.  My favorite is the pineapple (but they were out at the grocery store this week)!

Lunch: Wrap, Fishes & Cherries

Today's bento box lunch included: turkey, cucumber, spinach & hummus wrapped up in a high fiber tortilla, whole grain Goldfish crackers & the last of my fresh cherries.

Afternoon Snack: Almonds & Apple

I know you have seen this "sensible snack" a time or two from me ;)  It's a great afternoon pick me up!

Dinner: Spinach, Feta Turkey Burgers w/ Sweet Potato Fries & Veggies

I felt like I already had more carbs today than intended, so I just had half a wheat bun with my turkey burger.  I paired it with some Ore Ida sweet potato fries (ooh, more carbs) and some baby carrots.  Two orange sides ;)

I originally posted this recipe over at Endless Simmer (see original posting here), but I'm totally going to give it to you now.  No clicking necessary ;)

Spinach & Feta-Jalapeño Dip Turkey Burger

serves 4

1 lb ground turkey (I used 93% lean white meat)

half a batch of feta dip (recipe below)

3-4 handfuls baby spinach, roughly chopped

1/2 cup bread crumbs

2 tbsp egg substitute

Saute baby spinach in an oiled skillet until wilted. Combine half of feta dip, sauteed spinach, breadcrumbs, egg and ground turkey and form into 4 patties. Refrigerate for 30 minutes. Cook over medium high heat on the grill or in a pan (about 4 minutes on each side).

If you are grilling these turkey burgers, oil the heck out of the grill grates with a folded paper towel dipped in oil and held with grilling tongs. These burgers tend to stick a bit.

Feta Dip

makes 1 cup

adapted from How Sweet It Is

1 brick of feta cheese (8 oz)

1 whole jalapeno pepper

2 tbsp olive oil

3 cloves garlic

the juice of 1/4 a lemon

the zest of 1/4 a lemon

salt & pepper

Mince garlic & jalapeno (after seeding) & saute it in a skillet with some olive oil.

In a bowl, crumble the feta brick, add all other ingredients and mash to combine.

Dessert: Crispy French Toast Roasted Strawberry Shortcake

I created this dessert recipe for my Endless Simmer post this week.  It's not up yet, so keep an eye out.  I taste tested this and ate about half.  It was supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.  In other words, it rocked.  [Update: recipe posted here]

'K, have a great rest of the week, everyone!

Want more?  Check out some more What I Ate Wednesday posts:

WIAW #1

WIAW #2

WIAW #3

WIAW #4

WIAW #5

WIAW #6

WIAW #7 

WIAW #8 

WIAW #9 (last week's)