A taste of Summer!

Today has been such a beautiful day!!! I made me think about summer and being outside, which led to my choice for dinner tonight. Barbecued Turkey Burgers. My sister makes these all the time in the summertime and even in the off season on her indoor griddle, so I called her for the recipe and shortly after, I was eating a picnic outside with my kiddos! The flavor in these bad boys makes for a great change from traditional burgers!
Zippy Turkey Burgers

1 lb ground turkey
1 egg
1/2 chopped yellow/red/orange bell pepper
1/2 cup grated cheese (tonight was pepper jack!!!!)
1 Tbsp A1 steak sauce


I mix all these together in a bowl and it makes about 5 average sized burgers.

Then I toss them onto a hot bbq and cook for about 7-10 minutes on each side or until they look good.

A good bun idea is using those orowheat or whatever brand sandwich thins. They have less calories than a traditional bun and a different flavor.

SPRING ROLLS MADE EASY

So I have not been the best blogger lately, but I am going to do better. Today I was feeling ambitious and so I attempted a cool summer snack.

VEGGIE SPRING ROLLS

10 sheets rice paper (I found mine for $2 at Whole foods - Check the ethnic aisle at the store)
1 Avocado
abt. 4 carrots
1 cucumber
some bean sprouts
spring mix lettuce

1. Slice all of the inside veggies and avocado into small strips
2. Tear lettuce into strips
3. Prepare the rice paper according to package instructions
4. Lay a thin layer of lettuce first followed by whatever other fillings you like and then another layer of lettuce.
5. Fold down top and bottom of the paper over the filling and roll from one side over the filling until it looks like an egg roll and the paper sticks well together.
6. Slice diagonally down the middle and dip into sauce.
7. Put in mouth and Enjoy!

SPRING ROLL DIPPING SAUCE

3 Tbsp Rice Vinegar
1/4 C soy sauce
1 tsp sugar
1 Tbsp Sesame oil
1/2 tsp Red Pepper Flakes
a sprinkle of ground ginger
a sprinkle of garlic powder

Mix together and dip spring rolls in it.....SOOOO TASTY! (not to mention not all that bad for you either.

Whats for dinner tonight.

Ok so I think that I want to try and do a few recipes a week and to start that out, I am doing a "whats for dinner tonight" post, kinda like Rachel Ray does on her morning show. I posted last nights and feel bad for leaving it with an unhealthy ending, so for tonight I am making a yummy southwest kinda salad.

This is one of my favorite summer dinners because it is so easy and doesn't heat up the house.

1 bunch of fresh spinach from the grocery store ( I usually cut off the stem part of the leaves)
several romaine lettuce leaves
about 1 1/2 c. rotisserie chicken (or any pre-cooked chicken will do)
1 can of yellow corn
1 can black beans
1/2 c. carrot shreds
1/2 cucumber, chopped
ranch dressing
barbeque sauce

I make 3 or 4 salads with this recipe so start by dividing spinach onto desired amount of plates. Add romaine lettuce to plates. Layer with corn, beans, cucumbers, and carrots. put about 1/2 C. chicken on to the top of the salad. Drizzle some ranch dressing over the top, followed by a light drizzle of the barbeque sauce. Serve and enjoy.

My husband made a comment about this salad the last time that I made it. He said that salads like this are like summer casseroles where you just mix it all together and enjoy.