Parmesan, Pesto Turkey Burgers

Turkey burgers are often in our rotation of repeated dinners.  They are really flavorful without adding the heaviness of a beef burger (sorry, beef).

I made this variation that adds the punch of pesto and the richness of Parmesan.  A perfect way to beat dinner repetition boredom.

Parmesan, Pesto Turkey Burgers

serves 4

1 lb ground turkey (I used 93% lean--go leaner if you like)

1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese 

1/4 cup bread crumbs (I used a mix of panko & Italian breadcrumbs)

1 egg

2 tsp (or more) jarred pesto

salt & pepper

Mix all these ingredients with your hands and form 4 patties.  Get a large skillet hot and add some non-stick spray.  Cook the burgers on one side until brown (about 5 minutes), then flip over and cook an additional 3-5 minutes.

Note: The t-burgers (I'm trying a new abbrev, here) will try to stick to the pan.  Just add more non-stick spray as you flip them.  No biggie.

I served our turkey burgers on thin bread with spinach and a side of veggie hash with quinoa.

Yum :)

March Photo-A-Day Roundup

Well, it has been a little over a week of photo-a-day, and I am loving it!

Last week, I posted about the March Photo-A-Day Challenge.  Here's the list if you need a reminder:

Here's what I have to show so far:

Day 1: Up

Well, I went the obvious route & simply looked up in the sky.  Does anyone else see the rubber duckie in the clouds?

Day 2: Fruit

I love smoothies, as I'm sure I've mentioned before.  This was my breakfast ;)

Day 3: Neighborhood

A shot of our neighborhood.  I hid back near the carport to take this pic.  We are still new to the neighborhood, so I don't want to immediately come across as the crazy girl taking pictures crouching on the driveway.

Day 4: Bedside

Baby the cat is most likely in this spot first thing in the morning, while Boscoe paces around me meowing for me to get up.  I'm also spoiled by this eye mask.  I used to need it because the street light shone right in our apartment window, but now I'm so used to wearing it I can't stop!  Oh, by the way, this book Birthmarked is excellent ;)

Day 5: Smile

Meet my youngest nephew!  He is such a happy baby.  This was right after he woke up.  How great would life be if we all woke up as happy as this child?!

Day 6: 5 pm

On the way home everyday, I get to see the horses at Shelby Farms (a large park that I pass daily).  Even if my day was crappy, seeing the horses always makes me smile :)

Day 7: Something You Wore

I kind of had high hopes that I'd get my chance to do a fun, fashionable wardrobe post for this picture.  But Day 7 rolled around and I was wearing what I usually wear~workout pants and running shoes, so I went with it.  I actually wear some variation of this combo more often than not.  I walk on my lunch break at work as often as possible, so I like to be prepared.  I'm very lucky we have no standard of dress in our office, whatsoever.  My shoes are Nike Dual Fusion, in case you want to know. 

Day 8: Window

Nobody loves a window more than this guy.  Here's Boscoe wedged in between the window and the blinds.

Day 9: Red

I don't even think this needs an explanation.  Target clearly sucks me in and takes all my money!

That about does it for this week.

Has anyone else been doing the challenge?  It's never too late to start :)

Have a great Friday!

1 Minute Baileys Chocolate Cake

With St. Patty's Day right around the corner, I thought I'd make you a cake.

It is rich and dense with a noticeable taste of Irish cream, but still light and fluffy.

This cake only took about 5 minutes from start to finish.  And less than one minute to cook.

There are times when you need cake in a hurry.

Today seems like that kind of day.

1 Minute Baileys Chocolate Cake

Serves 1

1 tbsp + 1 tsp cocoa

3 tbsp flour

pinch salt

2 tsp sugar

1/4 tsp baking powder

2 Splenda packets (or use more sugar if you like)

1 tbsp oil (canola, vegetable or coconut)

3 tablespoons Baileys liqueur

1 tbsp milk (I used almond milk)

1/4 tsp vanilla extract

Mix all this stuff together and pour it in a greased microwave safe ramekin or mug.  Microwave for 40-50 seconds.  Allow cake to cool for about 5 minutes, then run a sharp knife around the cake in the mug (or ramekin) and gently turn it upside down on a plate.  Top with whipped cream and grated chocolate.

Note: If you don't want to use the alcoholic Baileys, try subbing the Baileys coffee creamer instead.  Or just use almond milk (only 3 tbsp, though)~it makes an equally yummy cake ;)

Recipe adapted from Chocolate Covered Katie

Cajun Corn Chowder with Crab

What's this?  Oh, another soup.  

Predictable?  Yes.  

Worth it?  Oh yeah.

This light chowder is super rich and creamy with chunks of pepper, corn, potato and crab.  Perfect for those lingering winter days.

Cajun Corn Chowder with Crab

serves 4-6

1 tbsp olive oil

2 cloves garlic (I used the pre-made, refrigerated kind)

1/2 yellow onion, diced

1 green bell pepper, diced

2-3 carrots, diced (or 1/2 a bag of baby carrots, diced)

2-2 1/2 cups of corn (You can use frozen if you want.  I used fresh.)

1/2 tbsp (or more to taste) of Cajun seasoning (I used Creole seasoning)

4 cups of broth (I used chicken broth)

12 fingerling potatoes, chopped

1/4-1/2 cup of fat free sour cream

small bag of crab meat (I used imitation crab)

In a large stockpot, heat olive oil over medium-high heat.  Add garlic, onion and green pepper and saute until softened, about 4 minutes.  Add corn and seasonings and reduce heat to medium.  Cook until corn is soft, about 2 minutes.  Pour broth into pot and increase heat to high to bring to a boil.

Add chopped potatoes to boiling soup, cover and cook for 10 minutes.  Reduce heat to low and put about 3-4 cups of the soup in the blender & puree.  Add the puree back into the soup and stir.  Stir in the sour cream.  Ladle into serving bowls and top with a bit of crab.  Enjoy!

Recipe adapted from Eighty Twenty

Blackened Salmon with Blood Orange

Here's a super easy and healthy meal idea incorporating none other than the blood orange!  I totally used my whole bag of blood oranges in a week.  It was a pretty awesome week.

Blackened Salmon with Blood Orange

makes 4 servings

1 tbsp paprika

1 tbsp cayenne

1 tsp dried thyme

1 tsp dried oregano

1 tsp salt

4 salmon filets with skin on one side (I used frozen)

3-4 tbsp olive oil

2 blood oranges, zested and juiced (and some slices for presentation-optional)

First thaw your salmon if you are using frozen filets. 

In a small bowl, add the paprika, cayenne, thyme, oregano and salt and mix to blend. Coat the salmon on the flesh side only.

Pour on a few tbsp of the blood orange juice.

Heat a large pan or cast iron skillet over medium heat, and add the oil. When the oil is super hot (test it by putting the handle of a wooden spoon in the oil-if bubbles form around it, it is ready) shut the heat off under the pan. Add the salmon, 1 at a time, in a single layer, flesh side down, in the oil. Turn the heat back on under the pan and cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Use a spatula to turn the salmon to the other side. Cook the salmon over medium heat, until the skin becomes crispy, about 5 to 6 minutes.

Arrange the salmon on a platter, sprinkle with blood orange zest and blood orange juice (and slices for presentation) and serve immediately.

I enjoyed my yummy salmon with some roasted veggies :)

Recipe adapted from Food Network

Here's my other blood orange recipes from this week:

Blood Orange Pancakes with Toasted Coconut

Blood Orange Foot Soak (not for eating, lol)

Blood Orange Margaritas

Blood Orange Margarita

It's been a long week and you deserve a drink.

This citrus-y delight is a great way to unwind.

And you know what?  It's a pretty low calorie cocktail, to boot.

Ok, run out and get these ingredients, because it's 5 o'clock somewhere.

Blood Orange Margarita

1 shot=2 tbsp (in case you don't have a shot glass)

1-2 shots of gold tequila

1/2 shot of triple sec (or Cointreau)

1/2 shot of lime juice (or the juice of 1/2 a small lime)

1 shot of blood orange juice (squeezed from about 3-4 oranges)

diet lemon lime soda

ice

sugar for the rim

Put some water on your finger & rim your glass in water and dip in sugar.

Fill glass with ice.

In a pitcher or cocktail shaker (or an old sports bottle, if you are classy like me), combine tequila, triple sec, lime juice and blood orange juice.  Shake until combined. Pour over ice and top with lemon lime soda to taste.

Recipe adapted from Nutmeg Nanny

Here's some fun links to other blogs who have made some scrumptious looking things with blood oranges:

Blood Orange Sugared Scones from How Sweet It Is

Blood Orange French Toast from The Family Kitchen

Blood Orange Marmalade from Savvy Eats

Blood Orange No-Bake Mini Cheesecakes with Chocolate Crust from The Craving Chronicles

I hope everyone liked blood orange week :)

March Photo-A-Day Challenge

Happy March, people :)

Have you heard about the March photo-a-day challenge?

It's basically a list of prompts for you to interpret and photograph every day in March.

How fun is that?!

Here's the list (so today I'll post a photo that means "up" to me):

source

I'm going to post a photo daily on Facebook and then I'll do a weekly round up here on the blog.

I think doing this challenge will be a great way to practice my photography skills & be super creative.

I'd love to see your photos, if you want to participate.  You can post the pics on your blog, on Instagram or Facebook.  It's no big deal if you miss a day, by the way.

You can read more about the challenge at Fat Mum Slim blog (she has a great blog).

Oh, guess what?  Today is apparently national peanut butter day!  I love PB :)

Here's some of my favorite recipes using it:
Overnight PB Oats in a Jar
Chocolate Covered Pretzel Cookies with Peanut Butter Chips
Chunky Monkey Banana Bread
Single Serve Fudge Cake with PB Frosting
Cookies with PB Cheerios

Yeah, so pretty much just desserts (minus the oats)...but they are all great~try one today!

Ok, I'll be back tomorrow with an incredible cocktail recipe!