The first time I had ground turkey meat, I was a freshman at the University of Florida. My friends decided to make spaghetti sauce with ground turkey and let’s just say it was edible. A while back I started cutting out magazine recipes and saving them. One of the first Christmas presents I received from my mother in law was this 3-ring binder “cookbook”. I can honestly say I loved it from day one.
Looking at the recipes in this book brings back a lot of memories. It’s like looking at a time capsule. There are overnight marinade recipes, and recipes with 60 minute cooking times; neither which will be happening at my house between the months of October and April. Some of the recipes have been tried and perfected while others continue to wait or haunt me… After my first attempt with ground turkey, it took a while to try it again.
One of the recipes in my cookbook is for Ground Turkey Burgers*. This recipe has become one of my “tried and true” recipes. I call it festive turkey burgers because it has shredded bits of zucchini and carrots mixed with ground turkey. Grate one carrot and one zucchini. Mix it with 1 pound of ground turkey meat, 1 egg, 1 or 2 minced garlic cloves, sprinkle some salt and there you have it! I saute them with olive oil for about 4 to 5 minutes per side on medium heat.
The best part: you don’t have to make a veggie side if you are too busy. Add a quick salad and our family favorite: baked sweet potato fries.
Do you have any “tried and true” recipes? Do you “sneak” veggies into your meals?
*Recipe adapted from Real Simple June 2007.
