Thursday, May 29, 2014

Grilled Turkey Sliders


If you're looking for an alternative to hamburgers, this fits the bill.  For me, one slider is enough to satisfy a burger craving!  I've always had trouble finishing a big juicy home made burger...sliders where were you all my life?  Turkey hamburgers can  be overly dry, but over the years I've gotten more savvy or just simply more creative about how to overcome dry turkey.  

The secret to these sliders is diced mushrooms.  They add moistness and flavor to an otherwise dry burger.  Try these..turkey isn't just for Thanksgiving!

Grilled Turkey Sliders

1 1/4 lb ground turkey, preferably a mixture of white and dark meat

2 finely diced mushrooms

pinch of garlic powder

1 egg

1/4 cup seasoned bread crumbs

dash of salt, pepper and herb de Provence

Mix together and form into small patties.  Grill until almost done, add optional cheese slices and melt.  I used smokey cheddar.  I also used Hawaiian sweet buns...tasty.  Garnish with sliced avocado, lettuce and red onion, if you wish. To give it extra spice slather on some wasabi mayo.  If you want fries with that, make some baked sweet potato fries.!

Friday, May 23, 2014

Sugarless Oatmeal Bars



Breakfast "on the run" used to be a given for me years ago.  Yes, I punched a time clock for most of the jobs I had..sad, but true!  Thinking back, the only job I had where I didn't, was at a government agency.  Here, at 3 minutes before "closing time" we all gathered around the back door to the parking lot, like we were caged animals and couldn't leave one second before the clock hit 5:00 pm.    Now, employees have freedoms I could only dream about...childcare in house, gyms, restaurants, flexible hours, and the list goes on!  Don't get me started!

Anyway, most mornings I would make a mad dash to the car, sometimes with a piece of toast or a hastily prepared chalky tasting protein shake in hand.  These oatmeal bars would have been a welcome change to my routine.  They are ridiculously easy to make, too!  

Makes 16-20 bars

Sugarless Oatmeal Bars

3 very ripe mashed bananas

1/3 cup apple sauce, unsweetened

2 cups regular oats

1/4 cup almond milk, unsweetened

1/2 cup raisins

1 tsp vanilla

1 tsp cinnamon

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.  Mix ALL the ingredients in a bowl and pour into a 8x8 glass pan which has been greased or sprayed with pan spray.  Spread evenly.  Bake for 15-20 minutes.  Cool thoroughly and cut into squares.  Delicious and nice to know you're eating something relatively healthy.

Next time, I may add pecans and/or mini chocolate chips.  Less healthy, more decadent!

Thursday, May 15, 2014

Make Reno Sweeter with IceCycle Creamery




Yes, you've heard it here....a dream come true...ice cream for life!  What's it all about?  This is a new business start up in Reno, Nevada.  The owners are near and dear to me...my son and daughter have decided to make the leap into the world of ice cream, although not just any ice cream.  I've provided their link and kickstarter campaign (to raise funds) on the right.  Press PLAY and watch the video and if you're compelled to do so because they have the know-how and entrepreneurial spirit, not to mention a great product, click on the big K in the left top corner!

You'll see their operation this Summer at food truck events, private parties or tastings, and anywhere they are summoned to.  You can hire them for your own ice cream social!  Some of their many flavors include Chocolate Curry, Sweet potato casserole, spumoni, cucumber lime sherbet, chocolate salted lavender and one of my favorites, goat cheese chocolate mint chip!  Yummy!  The picture above is Peach Cobbler, delicious!

To find out more, visit the website:

IceCycle Creamery Handmade Ice Cream

Kickstarter Campaign:

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/117744364/icecycle-handmade-ice-cream-bike

Be a huge part of Reno history and support this start up!

Honey Sesame flavor

Dairy-free coconut Thai Tea flavor

Friday, May 9, 2014

Shrimp Fajitas with Pineapple Avocado Salsa



Even though Cinco de Mayo has passed it's always time to have Mexican style food!  For me, any time of year is okay.  Growing up in Southern California, GOOD Mexican food was the standard and the best establishments were the small "taco stands".   Then along came places like Taco Bell, which although turned out to be a great business venture, it still lacks in authenticity, big time!

Next to Italian food, Mexican is a very close second as my favorite meal.  What's not to like about shrimp tacos and these are super easy to make.  The only way to improve these would have been to make my own fresh warm tortillas!  Next time!

For the salsa:

1 avocado, slightly mashed leaving chunks

3/4 cup chopped pineapple

2 Tbsp salsa or pico de gallo

Mix together in a bowl and refrigerate.

For the Fajitas:

1 red pepper, thinly sliced

1/2 yellow onion, thinly sliced

1 Tbsp oil

1 Tbsp fresh chopped cilantro

about a dozen cooked shrimp, tails removed

can of black olives (optional)

sour cream for garnish (optional)

tortillas

In a skillet, cook the peppers and onions in the oil on medium high until they are almost limp, about 10 minutes.  Add the cilantro and stir in the shrimp and olives, if using them.  As the mixture cooks, lower the heat to medium low and you can add a bit of water or pineapple juice to keep moist.

Fill each tortilla with the shrimp mixture and top with the pineapple/avocado salsa.  Garnish with sour cream and sliced cabbage mix if you want more crunch.  Ole!

Note:  You can use raw shrimp, marinated and grilled on the barbecue.   At the time I only had pre-cooked shrimp.  The above quantities will serve 2-3 people.


Thursday, May 1, 2014

Chia Breakfast Pudding






What in the world?  Don't knock it until you've tried it!  I can attribute this "experiment" to my beautiful daughter-in-law.  She whips meals together with so many healthy options.  I thought this would be good and after I chowed down my first breakfast pudding made with these ingredients, I swear, I had an unusual amount of energy and no hunger pangs for quite some time.

I didn't have white chia seeds, but you can imagine that the look and consistency would be like a tapioca pudding.  The seeds can be sprinkled on salads, cereals and smoothies, as is.  If you want the tapioca feel, the seeds require a soaking time of at least 10 minutes as they plump up and soften.

Chia Breakfast Pudding

1/2 cup almond milk

1/8 cup (2 Tbsp) chia seeds

1/8 cup (2 Tbsp) rolled oats

dash of vanilla

1 Tbsp raisins

Place these ingredients into a serving bowl, stir and put into the refrigerator for at least 10 minutes.  Then stir again and add optional bananas and berries of choice.  Enjoy!