Asian Turkey Burgers

I was at a cookout a couple of weeks ago, and my friend, Tracy, made these. They were so good, I dug around on the internet to find a recipe so I can make them for the Thompsons tonight.

Asian Turkey Burgers

12 oz ground turkey
1 egg white
1 T soy sauce
1/2 c bread crumbs
1 T chopped onion
1 clove garlic--minced
1/4 t ground ginger
1/8 t pepper

Mix all ingredients and form into patties. Grill and enjoy!

Lexington Grilled Chicken Salad with Spicy Ranch Dressing

Barry has been craving salads, so I made this one up last night. Scott's BBQ sauce (found at Harris Teeter) can be substituted for the marinade from my previous post for Lexington grilled chicken.

Lexington Grilled Chicken Salad with Spicy Ranch Dressing

1/4 bag Trader Joe's frozen roasted corn prepared according to directions
1/2 can black beans
2 leftover Lexington grilled chicken breasts (or 2 chicken breasts marinated in 1 1/2 c Scott's and cooked in the sauce)
1/4 c green onion
1/4-1/2 c cheddar cheese
4 T ranch dressing w/ Scott's added to taste
mixed greens

Toss mixed greens with corn, black beans, green onion, cheddar and dressing. Slice chicken and serve on top. Easy and yummy!

Spicy Blue Cheese Hamburgers

I am making these for the first time tomorrow night. They sound awesome!

Spicy Blue Cheese Hamburgers

1 lb lean ground beef (I'm using 96/4)
1/2 c crumbled blue cheese
1/2 c minced onion
1/2 c hot chicken wing sauce
1 T Worcestershire sauce
1 t ground pepper
1 t yellow mustard
4 hamburger buns

In a medium bowl, mix beef, blue cheese and onion. Season with Worcestershire sauce, mustard and pepper. Mix well. Form into 4 patties. Cover and refrigerate for an hour.

Remove patties from the refrigerator and pour wing sauce over them (be sure top surface is covered). Allow to sit for 10 mins. Grill and enjoy!

Grilled Vidalia Onion and Steak Sandwiches

Sorry I've been MIA lately! I've been a busy bee! Things are finally starting to settle down, so you can expect to see more recipe posts in the near future. This is a summertime favorite!

Girlled Vidalia Onion and Steak Sandwiches

1 1/2 lbs flank steak, trimmed
6 1/2 in thick slices of Vidalia onion
6 Kaiser rolls
cooking spray

Steak Marinade:

3/4 c cola
2 T red wine vinegar
1 t ground black pepper
1/2 t salt
1/2 t ground chipotle chile pepper (I use red pepper flakes instead)
4 crushed garlic cloves
1 crushed bay leaf

Dressing:

3/4 c minced arugula
1/2 c mayonnaise

To prepare steak, combine the marinade ingredients in a large zip-lock bag.. Add steak. Seal and marinade in the refrigerator for 2 hrs, turning occasionally. Remove steak from bag, reserving marinade. Pour reserved marinade into microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 2 mins or until boiling. Set aside.

Prepare the dressing by combining the arugual and mayonnaise. Set aside.

Grill steak on a grill rack coated with cooking spray. Grill 8 mins per side for medium-rare steak. Remove steak from grill. Cover and let stand for 5 mins. Place onion slices on grill rack. Grill 4 mins per side, basting occasionally with reserved marinade.

Cut steak diagonally across grain into thin slices. Spread 2 T dressing on Kaiser rolls. Add tomato if desired. Makes 6 sandwiches.

Banana Pudding

Another southern girl staple! This recipe is easy AND yummy! I'm making this tonight for a cookout we're hosting at our house. Enjoy!

Banana Pudding

2 boxes instant vanilla pudding
1 8 oz container sour cream
1 reg-sized container of Cool Whip
Vanilla wafers
Bananas

Make pudding according to the directions on the box. Combine with sour cream and Cool Whip. Layer pudding mixture with wafers and bananas.

Aunt Mel's Baked Beans

In honor of spring time & cookouts, I am posting the most fabulous recipe for baked beans ever. This is from my "aunt," Mel Andrews, and I love it!

Aunt Mel's Baked Beans

1 sm can lima beans
1 reg-sized can kidney beans
1 lg can pork-n-beans
1/2 c brown sugar
1/4 c vinegar
1/2 c ketchup
1 tsp mustard
1 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
3 med onions, chopped and fried in bacon fat

Mix all ingredients and bake @ 325 for 1 hr.

**Note: I do not fry my onions in bacon fat. I fry them in a little extra virgin olive oil instead. Also, this serves at least 8-10.

Ma, the Meatloaf!

Every single time I make meatloaf, Barry always breaks out this line by Will Ferrell's character in Wedding Crashers. I'm making it tonight, and I've decided to name this recipe after it! For all of you Asheboro natives, this is another of Ms. Ruth's recipes, so you know it's great!

Ma, the Meatloaf!

1 lb lean ground beef (I'm using 96/4)
1 egg, well beaten
1/2 c fine, dry bread crumbs
1 1/2 c milk
3/4 c diced sharp cheddar cheese
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp celery salt
1/4 tsp paprika
1 med onion, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped

Mix well and turn into loaf pan. Bake 1 hr @ 350.

Note: I'm sure substituting ground turkey or ground chicken for the beef would work as well.