Friday

Fridge Friday - What's for Dinner?

Fridge Friday

Well we are off to the races…the first Fridge Friday posting!

So, it’s Friday…what’s for dinner? At our house we like to keep it casual, but fun. My favorite Friday night family dinner is burgers and fries. Yikes, you might think, not the gut busting, calorie laden, mooo dinner…well, you are right, these recipes are for lean mean Best Turkey Burger in the World and Can't Stop Eating Crispy French Fries. Check out these great recipes for a healthy casual Friday night dinner. What’s on your menu? Do you cook on Friday nights?



The Best Turkey Burger in the World!




INGREDIENTS

  • 1/3 cup finely chopped onion
  • 1/3 cup finely chopped green and red peppers
  • 1 clove finely chopped garlic clove
  • 1/2 teaspoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon white wine
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon poultry seasoning
  • 1/4 teaspoon cajun spice
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground mustard
  • 1/8 teaspoon pepper
  • Dash salt
  • 1 pound lean ground turkey ( I prefer Trader Joe’s)
  • 4 hamburger buns, split
  • 4 lettuce leaves
  • 4 slices tomato

serves 4


DIRECTIONS
  1. Place onions, peppers, garlic and oil in a small skillet; cook for 3-4 minutes or until very soft, stirring occasionally. Add the white wine cover and cook until the wine is absorbed, about 2 -4 minutes. Remove from heat and cool.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the ground turkey, garlic powder, poultry seasoning, cajun spice, mustard, pepper, salt. Mix thoroughly. Add the onion, pepper, garlic mixture and mix. Shape into four patties. Wrap and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes.
  3. In a nonstick skillet coated with one teaspoon olive oil, cook patties over medium heat for 4-5 minutes on each side or until a meat thermometer reads 165 degrees F. Serve on buns with lettuce and tomato.

Nutritional Analysis: 1 burger equals 353 calories, 13 g fat (3 g saturated fat), 90 mg cholesterol, 549 mg sodium, 32 g carbohydrate, 2 g fiber, 25 g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch, 1/2 fat.




Can’t Stop Eating Crispy French Fries



INGREDIENTS

* 5 Large Russet Potatoes

* 2 Tbsp. Olive Oil

* Salt and Pepper to Taste

serves 4


DIRECTIONS

1. Begin with some nice russet potatoes as shown here. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

2. Wash the potatoes to prepare for slicing. I prefer not to peel the potatoes.

Cut the french fries even in size to ensure even cooking. If you have a mandoline, it makes slicing ea

3. Place potatoes in a bowl of ice cold water, add a dash of salt Soak in salted water for about 30 minutes to release some of the starch and allow the fries to crisp up in the oven.

4. Dry the potatoes. This is a crucial step. If the potatoes are not completely dry, they will not crisp up and the moisture will cause them to steam in the oven.

5. Place in a bowl and season them with salt, pepper and 2 tablespoons olive oil. Toss gently to coat. Lay the potatoes on parchment paper and place in the oven. Once in the oven, turn them periodically to ensure even browning. Bake for about 30 - 45 minutes or until golden brown.

6. Remove from the oven and sprinkle 1/8 teaspoon cajun spice and 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder over the fries and toss.

Place the fries on a plate with the burger and your Friday night dinner is ready!