turkey burgers & sweet potato fries

i ran off to yoga without eating the meal i prepared.
on the way i text my man, "take a picture!"
his reply? "i guess."

turkey burgers are tough. when made "lean," they seem to fall apart when i grill them.  so frustrating.

these turkey burgers, however, did not fall apart.  and, they were quite tasty according to my taste testers.  my dinner was waiting for me in the microwave when i returned from yoga.  even re-heated and without a bun, both the burger and the fries were really good.  something i'll make again for sure.  especially the fries.

the fries are from mel's kitchen cafe.  i've said it before but, i have to say it again; i really love her blog.

sweet potato fries
printable recipes

recipe source mel's kitchen cafe

*note: the purpose of the sugar is to help caramelize and brown the outside edges of the potatoes. combined with the salt and other spices, you are left with a tender sweet potato fry infused with a sweet and smoky flavor. preheating the baking sheets also helps the outer edges get a nice little crunch.

3 large sweet potatoes or yams

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon granulated sugar

1 tablespoon kosher salt

1 teaspoon chili powder

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon cumin

1 teaspoon dried oregano

preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Place two rimmed baking sheets in the oven while it preheats and while you prepare the potatoes (about 10 minutes). peel the potatoes and slice the potatoes into about 1/4- to 1/2-inch strips or wedges. try to keep most of the pieces the same size so they bake evenly.

place the potato strips/wedges in a ziploc bag or bowl. Toss the potatoes with the oil. add the seasonings and mix until the potatoes are evenly coated.

carefully remove the hot baking sheets from the oven and divide the potatoes evenly among the two sheets, taking care the potatoes are not touching so they have plenty of room for the air circulate to circulate and bake evenly. also, try to leave any excess oil in the bag or bowl so the potatoes don’t get too soggy while they bake.

bake the potatoes for about 12-15 minutes*, flipping halfway through, if desired, until they are tender and well-browned. serve immediately.

*i baked these for nearly 20 minutes and they still could have used more time.  i'm beginning to believe my oven sucks.

serves 6

Nutrition Facts mels recipe sweet potato fries Serving Size: 1 serving Amount Per Serving Calories 137 Total Fat 6.9g       Saturated Fat 0.9g       Trans Fat 0g Cholesterol 0mg Sodium 404mg Carbohydrate 19.5g       Dietary Fiber 2.4g       Sugars 5.8g Protein 1.2g Vitamin A 223% Vitamin C 16% Calcium    2% Iron 4%

turkey burgers

recipe adapted from epicurious

2 medium yellow onions, chopped

1 clove garlic, minced

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 1/3 pounds ground turkey breast

4 tablespoons dried bread crumbs

2 tablespoons barbecue sauce

3 tablespoons quick-cooking oats (not instant)

1 teaspoon dried basil

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1/4 teaspoon salt

ground black pepper

warm the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. add the onions and cook for about 10 minutes over medium heat.  add the garlic the last 2 minutes (cook until onions begin to brown). remove from the heat, transfer to a large bowl, and let cool for 10 minutes.

to the same bowl, add the turkey, bread crumbs, barbecue sauce, oats, basil, oregano, salt and pepper to taste. mix well. shape the mixture into patties (5-6 total).

(coat a large nonstick skillet with cooking spray. cook the burgers over medium heat for about 5 minutes, or until browned and crispy. flip the burgers carefully and cook for 5 minutes longer, or until golden brown and a thermometer inserted in the center registers 165° and the meat is no longer pink. serve the burgers hot.)

i grilled the burgers on the outdoor grill over low heat for 5-6 minutes per side.

serves 6

Nutrition Facts epicurious recipe turkey burgers Serving Size: 1 serving Amount Per Serving Calories 279 Total Fat 13.4g       Saturated Fat 2.4g       Trans Fat 0g Cholesterol 69mg Sodium 294mg Carbohydrate 15.1g       Dietary Fiber 1.9g       Sugars 5.2g Protein 25g Vitamin A 1% Vitamin C 7% Calcium    3% Iron 14%