Monday, March 15, 2010

More About Peas N Qs

Today is the first day of the time change this year and I'm seriously lagging today. Thank goodness that yesterday I spent the afternoon cooking some amazing turkey burgers and also grilled chicken breast and sirloin steak. One thing I need to tell you is, that in addition to being a food fanatic, I am also a Weight Watcher. Yes folks, I'm losing weight. Over the last 14 months, I have lost an amazing 82 lbs., while cooking amazing food for myself and for my friends. So. Yes. I'm here to say...you can quite possibly have it all.

Because this is a food blog, let me share my Turkey Burger recipe with you tonight. My co-worker, Victor, loves that I cook on Sundays because it always means he has breakfast, lunch and snacks the rest of the week! My friend Rachel (rachiebakes) started her baking blog a few weeks back and has told me that pictures are imperative. Next week, I'll take some pictures of these delicious burgers. Until then, you'll have to trust me...these will knock your socks off!

Fantabulous Turkey Burgers
yields approx 6 burgers

1 lb. lean ground turkey
1 whole egg
1/4 cup Worchestershire sauce plus 1/4 cup divided
1 small shallot, minced
1/4 cup finely crushed saltines or old fashioned oatmeal
garlic powder, to taste
salt and pepper, to taste
Olive oil cooking spray

Instructions
Combine all ingredients except the additional 1/4 cup Worchestershire sauce in a mixing bowl. With your hands, combine all ingredients thoroughly. Don't be afraid to dig your hands in there and make sure all items are combined. I like to eyeball the size of my burgers and basically reach into the bowl, take out a scoop of the meat mixture into my palm and then form into a patty. Place each patty on a plate until you have 6 patties. Pour remaining Worchestershire sauce evenly over the patties and place in the refrigerator to marinate further for 20 minutes.

Heat a cast iron pan over high heat, spray with cooking spray. When pan is nice and hot, gently lay patties into the pan, reduce heat to medium and cook for approx. 6 minutes. Flip burgers and cook on remaining side for another 3 minutes until cooked through. Do not overcook, that's what makes "other" turkey burgers so dry. These babies are nice and moist...even the next day. I have to do these in two batches because I only have 12" cast iron pan. You can do the same!

Serve immediately on a toasted onion bun with lettuce, thinly sliced red onion and your choice of cheese. Try provolone. It's awesome. Unless you like a ton of condiments that mask the flavor of the meat, try this burger with the bread "dry." Moist. Tasty.

Optional add ins: try ONE of the following add in's each time you make the burgers for a bit of a change up-palmful of mixed grated cheese like gouda and havarti (see Trader Joe's); freshly grated high quality Parmesan; grated zuchinni.

I bag up the uneaten patties individually and take them to work the next day, and microwave on 20 seconds then eat without any bread for a nice Weight Watcher friendly snack!

Give this recipe a whirl and share it with your friends. In the meantime, I'll be gathering more thoughts and more of my recipes to share!

Your Friend in Food
Suzie Q

Sunday, March 14, 2010

And we're off!

If you like to eat, then you just happened along a wide spot in the culinary road that I hope to turn into a fun place to gather, find inspiration and share a favorite pasttime.

First of all, let's talk about Peas n Q's Kitchen.

One of the things that that intrigued me early on about food (besides eating it!) were the aromas, the flavors and the RULES.

Yes people. Food has rules. From what will and won't play nice together, to recipes (some of which you must follow without question and those that you can use as a mere guideine) to proper, never-to-be-fussed-with table etiquette. For me, when the world's downright out of control, the kitchen rules put the outside world back on its axis. In my kitchen, any crazy day can calm down and finally begin to "mind its P's & Q's" with the sizzle of butter, the scrape of a wooden spoon, the whir of a blender. These sounds that create the hypnotic state that can turn a day of downright worthless stress into a creative, and delicious, delight...one you can't wait to share.

Stop by often, settle in and, as grandma used to say, mangia!
Your friend in food,
Suzie Q