A turkey burger sounded good last night so I dug out this old favorite for Veggie Turkey Burgers. It really doesn’t matter what veggies you use as long as you have around 1 -1 1/4 cups of finely chopped veggies. I have used a variety of combinations from the following vegetables; onions, mushrooms, green pepper, red pepper, carrots and zucchini. The oatmeal and egg white help bind it all together but feel free to use bread crumbs if you don’t have oatmeal. It’s a good basic recipe to play with depending on what you have in the vegetable drawer.
We topped ours with some crisp bacon, thin slices of tomato, pickles, ketchup, mustard and crispy romaine lettuce on sprouted buns. I would have liked a slice of avocado but I didn’t have any.There was also some sweet potato fries involved and a Caesar salad. No one left the table hungry!
Veggie Turkey Burger
- 20 ounces turkey, ground (1 1/4 pound pkg)
- 1 egg white
- 1/2 cup onion — finely chopped
- 1/3 cup green pepper — finely chopped
- 1/3 cup carrot — finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves — finely chopped
- 1/4 cup oatmeal
- 3 tablespoons Parmesan cheese — shredded
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 3 tablespoons ketchup
- salt and pepper — to taste
I toss my veggies and the garlic cloves in the mini food processor and chop them nice and small.Mix all ingredients together. Form into 6 patties. Cook in nonstick skillet over medium heat, turning once.
This is a very forgiving recipe. I have used different veggies such as mushrooms, shredded zucchini, red pepper or
green onions. Use any combination you like as long as you have around 1 – 1 1/4 cups of finely chopped veggies. The veggies make these burgers nice and moist. If you don’t have oatmeal use bread crumbs.
Yield: 6 servings
Nutritional Information
Per Serving: 189 Calories; 9g Fat (43.1% calories from fat); 19g Protein; 7g Carbohydrate; 1g Dietary Fiber; 77mg
Cholesterol; 258mg Sodium. WWPP 5
Food Find
I saw these frozen sweet potato fries at the grocery store and since I like other products made by Alexia I decided to give them a try. I do make my own sweet potato fries but sometimes I want an even quicker no fuss side dish and these spicy fries are excellent!
The nutritional stats aren’t too bad for these either. WWPP 3
They have a nice spicy flavor from the Chipotle spices but not hot, just flavorful. I will buy these again.
Nutmeg Notes
I took a little inventory of my produce to see what needs to be used up before it spoils. I have some winter squash, little salad tomatoes, coleslaw mix, broccoli, strawberries, a fresh pineapple and kale.
The fruits that are getting too ripe to eat out of hand can be frozen and used in smoothies. The salad tomatoes can be salvaged by roasting them with a green veggie. The squash will be oven roasted and then used in salads or a soup. I can make the coleslaw into a salad with some Trader Joes Asian Style Vinaigrette and make it a meal by adding some cooked chicken. The kale can become a green smoothie. I hate to let anything go to waste, it’s like throwing money in the waste basket.
I didn’t have a menu planned for the week when I went grocery shopping so I bought random stuff and thought I would figure it out as the week went along. That hasn’t worked out so well. I do better if I at least have a general menu plan for the week. That way when I shop I make sure I have the correct herbs, spices and items need to make recipes. When it is random like this I am usually short one ingredient that is needed to make anything!.It’s a little frustrating. Live and learn!
Do any of you have the CSA (community supported agriculture) boxes of random produce that are delivered to you each week? How do you like it? I love the idea of supporting small farmers but I don’t know how well I would deal with not knowing what I am going to have to cook with for the week. It would allow you to try some new foods and shake up the routine a bit.
Tami
Add Your Thoughts
How do you decide what you are cooking for the week?
Do you have a CSA box delivered?
Plan out a menu then shop, go to the store and buy what looks good, make the same things each week?
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Cammy@TippyToeDiet says:
April 13, 2011 at 9:59 am (UTC -7)
The Alexia people were at Blissdom and hosted the ‘snack bar’ on day. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the proper venue, because they were cold and unappetizing to me. Or maybe my mouth was just set for a cookie.
I tend to eat the same things most weeks, with an occasional wave of new foods befitting the season.
Tami says:
April 13, 2011 at 5:55 pm (UTC -7)
Oh Cammy I think you need to try the fries hot out of the oven, like Janine said they are crispy good then! Nicely flavored too. LOL at “Maybe my mouth was just set for a cookie.” Or knowing you perhaps a cupcake!
Janine says:
April 13, 2011 at 11:16 am (UTC -7)
Love those sweet potato fries. I like them even better than when I make them myself–though either one works for me. I do like them hot out of the oven–they’re crispy good. That’s the only brand I’m willing to try, since the nutritionals looked so good.
I wanted to give the CSA a try—but it was too much veggie for me to get through. I’m better off at the local store picking and choosing the veggies I like.
Tami says:
April 13, 2011 at 5:53 pm (UTC -7)
Janine you are right hot out of the oven they are crispy good! I was quite impressed with them. I love Alexia brand products as they are such good quality.
I do like that getting the CSA box makes you try new things but like you I am a picker and a chooser with veggies and fruits.
Happy Eats!
Karen says:
April 13, 2011 at 11:22 am (UTC -7)
I hate meal planning. I do look at the weekly specials to see if I am inspired. But other than that, I struggle to come up with a plan. It will be much easier when my nest empties:)
Tami says:
April 13, 2011 at 5:51 pm (UTC -7)
I hear what you are saying about it being easier with an empty nest! I know we will be eating more fish then and a great variety of foods. Right now with our son living at home I am always keeping his food choices and big appetite in mind when I cook. I don’t hate meal planning though, I love to read cookbooks and find interesting recipes to try. I just have been too busy for all that fun lately.
Hope you are having a good time in Southern CA! It was cloudy and rainy here part of the day.
Happy Travels!
Lisa T says:
April 13, 2011 at 11:44 am (UTC -7)
I did a CSA box last year (they only do summers where I live). I loved the produce we got and managed to use everything except a few fresh herbs (I don’t use much sage in the summer)and the tomatillos. I’ve never used tomatillos before and just wasn’t inspired to find a way to do so. I would do my menu planning after I got the box. That helped with using it all up.
I should add that although I liked it, I’m not doing it again this year. The program offered here was for a set number of weeks and you could not skip a week and pay less for the total. Since we, like most people, do some travelling during the summer, the lack of flexibility made me unhappy with this particular version of a CSA program. But if you have access to one with more flexibility, the quality of produce was outstanding.
Tami says:
April 13, 2011 at 5:48 pm (UTC -7)
Thanks for sharing your experience Lisa. I hadn’t thought about what happens when you go on vacation – thank you for bringing that up. I think I will check into what is available here but I might just stick with the Organic Farmers Market which runs all year long here. The freshness of the fruit and veggies there can’t be beat and it lasts so much longer than the store bought produce.
To Your Health!
Dawn says:
April 13, 2011 at 12:43 pm (UTC -7)
Tami these burgers are exactly what I was looking for. When I do the detox coming up in May I wanted to make vegan burgers that didn’t have any breadcrumb. I found one recipe for bean burgers that looked good but I love this veggie burger with oatmeal!
You probably know I love my CSA and I only get a box directly from the farm every other week. It definitely has pushed me to experiment and has taken me out of my comfort zone but I loved the challenge and I really think you would too. You are creative enough to handle it! My mom, on the otther hand, doesn’t like cooking or being creative with food so she said she wouldn’t be able to handle it. I get a LOT of veggies from mine. They usually last more than two weeks eating veggies sometimes breakfast, snack, lunch and dinner. I do still buy some veggies from the grocery if I have a specific item I’m craving or need for a recipe idea though.
Tami says:
April 13, 2011 at 5:45 pm (UTC -7)
Dawn I have enjoyed reading about you visiting the farm and getting your CSA box. I am thinking about the CSA box and if it was every other week that might work for me. I do like that in forces you to try some new foods and gives you an opportunity to be creative in the kitchen.
I am fortunate enough to have an organic farmer’s market near me that goes all year long no matter the weather. I get to pick and choose what I want and perhaps that has spoiled me.
I make several different turkey burgers.
Quick and Easy Turkey Burgers http://nutmegnotebook.com/?p=2702
Cilantro Turkey Burgers sub oatmeal for the bread crumbs http://nutmegnotebook.com/?p=1978
Feta Stuffed Turkey Burgers http://nutmegnotebook.com/?p=412
Have you tried the Cheesy Quinoa Burgers? You could sub some chickpea flour or rice flour for the regular flour, these are amazing.
http://nutmegnotebook.com/?p=3009
The falafel burgers are one of my favorites again just sub a different type of flour,
http://nutmegnotebook.com/?p=2822
Happy Cooking!
Dawn says:
April 13, 2011 at 12:45 pm (UTC -7)
…..scratch the vegan part. Technically I can have fish and eggs on the detox so I would be able to make this!
renee@mykitchenadventures says:
April 13, 2011 at 3:49 pm (UTC -7)
oh that burger looks so wonderful Tami! do you use the turkey breast meat or the 93/7 ground turkey? I was thinking avacado would be great on it too!
I love, love, love the alexia garlic bread…but I have to go to whole foods to find it
and whole foods is far from my house! I have seen the sweet potato fries though, good to know they would be a good buy! Thanks!
Tami says:
April 13, 2011 at 5:33 pm (UTC -7)
Renee that is a great question! I calculated the nutritional information using the 93/7 ground turkey. I actually had a pkg of even leaner turkey breast meat that I used this time but I calculated using the 93/7 since that is what I normally use and the end result is less dry.
I found the Alexia fries at Walmart! I ran in to grab something for dinner and passed down the freezer aisle when the fries caught my eye.
I did try the Alexia garlic bread but I didn’t like it, I don’t remember why but maybe we should give it a second try!
Jenn @ Cooking Aweigh the Pounds says:
April 13, 2011 at 6:49 pm (UTC -7)
I so have to make and freeze these burgers for my husband! He loves turkey burgers and our regular restaurant has decided to remove them from the menu.
I love the veggies to add bulk and moisture to the burger!
A couple of my friends have started getting CSA boxes delivered to them. I may have to give it a try this summer!
Mary (A Merry Life) says:
April 13, 2011 at 9:52 pm (UTC -7)
Most weeks I make a meal plan based on what is on sale that week and what we really want to eat. I love to meal plan usually.
CSA boxes look so cool but I’ve never had one. Maybe one day!
Dana says:
April 14, 2011 at 3:13 am (UTC -7)
Hi Tami! Thanks for checking out Food for Thought!
I am a huge fan of both Veggie Burgers and Turkey burgers, so these sound right up my alley. I’ll have to try them out!
Biz says:
April 14, 2011 at 4:44 am (UTC -7)
I’ve had a turkey burger in a restaurant, but never made them at home – I’ll give yours a try for my co-workers lunches – don’t think my husband or daughter would touch them with a 10-foot pole (except I’d leave the onions out!)
I grocery shop strictly from my sale paper – if chicken breasts aren’t on sale, I am not getting them. I also try to buy things that can morph into different dishes. About every three weeks my store sells whole chickens for .69 cents a pound and I buy the biggest one.
We’ll have roasted chicken one night, then I’ll pick off most of the meat and make chicken tacos or enchiladas, then use the carcass to make homemade chicken noodle soup.
I usually spend about $90 a week on groceries. My two co-workers pay me $25 a week to bring their lunches – most of the meals I make are 4 servings, so I get two servings, they get 2 servings, and it brings my grocery bill down to $40 – not too bad!
Tami says:
April 14, 2011 at 4:53 am (UTC -7)
Biz you are so thrifty with your grocery bill. I wish I could say the same but I’m just not there. I didn’t realize you got paid to make those lunches that is awesome and it really helps with your food budget.
I know you like things spicy so might I suggest you try this Cilantro Turkey Burger with Chipotle Ketchup. Double the ketchup is is to die for!
http://nutmegnotebook.com/?p=1978
Nicole, RD says:
April 14, 2011 at 7:39 am (UTC -7)
That’s what I want for lunch! Mmm! Those fries
Sweet potato fries are the best.
I always email myself all the recipes I run across. I tag them as “recipes” and then go through each weekend and choose 3-4 to try. It’s hard to widdle them down, but there’s always next week
No CSA for us – we do some gardening and have a farm in our backyard just about…we go there for produce, and visit the farmer’s market when it’s in season. I love the concept of a CSA and want to join someday, though!
Tami says:
April 14, 2011 at 5:10 pm (UTC -7)
I like that you email recipes to yourself to review later – good strategy. How convenient to have a farm so close. We had a garden early in our marriage but I got so sick of canning tomatoes one year and that was the end of it! I guess we didn’t know how good we had it back then.
MaryFran says:
April 14, 2011 at 9:06 am (UTC -7)
I really like the Alexia sweet potato fries.
We do not participate in a CSA, but we have a huge garden….so no need. Although I sometimes wish I did because it would force me to branch out and use different vegetables that I wouldn’t normally buy for myself.
Tami says:
April 14, 2011 at 5:11 pm (UTC -7)
Another gardener! I am happy to see that so many of you still enjoy having a garden. That is awesome. Maybe you should branch out this year and plant a couple new veggies and see how it goes.
Happy Spring!
Roz says:
April 14, 2011 at 10:02 am (UTC -7)
Thanks for the Alexia fries review Tami. I’ve seen them and often wondered if they are good. I usually plan my meals around what I’ve picked up on sale.
Tami says:
April 14, 2011 at 5:13 pm (UTC -7)
The Alexia brand products are a pretty safe bet as they are made from good ingredients. Of course individual taste buds do differ.
Good plan to shop the sales. I buy a lot of items at Costco or Sam’s club so I feel like I am getting a fair price I guess.
Helen says:
April 14, 2011 at 11:38 am (UTC -7)
I don’t think I’ve eaten a bad Alexia product: their fries, roasted red potatoes, onion rings – all excellent! I try to buy them if they are on sale since they are more expensive than other brands. Also recently my BJ’s club started carrying them and it’s a better value.
My daughter who lives just outside of Washington, DC does a form of CSA and loves it. Her farmer offered different plans so she was able to find one that fit her lifestyle and budget as she was also worried about being overwhelmed with too much. The part of her plan that she likes best is at the end of the season the farmer has a final harvest day where she gets to go out to the farm and choose anything she wants that is left in the fields! She usually takes a friend and combines with a trip to some beautiful Virigina wineries.
Tami says:
April 14, 2011 at 5:16 pm (UTC -7)
You know Helen now that you mention it I think I may have see the Alexia brand at either Sams Club or Costco but I don’t remember what the product was! Brain fade again.
I like how your daughters CSA works. Sounds like a wonderful way to end the season. We visited West Virginia one time and it was beautiful there and the people were so friendly. I believe the CSA around here is all year long, with our moderate winters here in North Central CA they can grow something all year long. I have to check into this! Thank you for sharing.
fittingbackin says:
April 14, 2011 at 3:24 pm (UTC -7)
thanks for the review on those fries – yum!
for me, meal planning depends on whether or not i’m making new recipes! I try to use recipes with similar ingredients, especially if the ingredients are perishable – this helps me not be wasteful!
Tami says:
April 14, 2011 at 5:17 pm (UTC -7)
You are genius making recipes that call for similar ingredients! That works so well when you freeze things ahead too. Love it!
Diane Fit to the Finish says:
April 14, 2011 at 4:45 pm (UTC -7)
I wish we had a CSA close to us. The nearest is a couple hours away! Those turkey burgers look delicious.
Autumn @ Good Eats Girl says:
April 14, 2011 at 5:15 pm (UTC -7)
I want to join a CSA, but I need to find one around me!
Your turkey burgers look amazing!
Jody - Fit at 53 says:
April 14, 2011 at 5:48 pm (UTC -7)
That burger looks amazing! I use extra lean ground turkey for my meatloaf or burgers…. yours look better than mine!
Another blogger is hooked on those sweet potato fries! She eats them all the time!
My sis is part of a CSA. She used to manage it but got busy with her other volunteer work & had to pass that to another but still uses it. None in my area…
I am kind of a creature of habit with the foods. I may not eat them on the same day or even the same meal BUT I buy similar stuff & cook ahead pr plan for what I will be eating if I don’t cook ahead.
erica@fashionmeetsfood says:
April 15, 2011 at 5:25 am (UTC -7)
This looks to die for. I have been craving a burger lately like you would not believe!!! I just bought some Alexia sweet potato waffle fries the other day… they were amazing. I`ll have to try these.
xo
momochii says:
April 25, 2011 at 1:47 pm (UTC -7)
My cousin recommended this blog and she was totally right keep up the fantastic work!