Thai Burgers and Sliders

Hi, my name is Lizzy and I have a food blogging idol.  Someone who I've never met (but feel like I have!).  Someone who enjoys very similar food flavors as me.  Someone who knows how to eat healthy without losing any of the amazing tastes.  And that person is... can you guess...she is local... she is inspiring... she is creative... do you know?


Yep, Cara from Cara's Cravings.  I made Cara's Thai Turkey Burgers a few weeks ago and then made her cute sliders this week.  And I'm in love with both. I served my burgers with roasted broccoli and kale.

Cara used a mayonnaise based dressing for a sauce and since I have a fear of mayonnaise I made the burgers without a sauce.  There was enough flavor without a condiment but my crazy husband asked if he could put ketchup on them (ummm NO) so when I made the sliders, I knew I needed to add some type of sauce on top.  So I used my never fail thai peanut sauce inspired by another favorite blogger: Baked Bree.


Truth be told when I need food inspiration I turn to two blogs first: Cara's Cravings and Baked Bree.  I don't love following recipes exactly or measuring anything and their recipes I 100% trust even without using the exact ingredients or measurements.  So thanks girls!


For the burger, I followed Cara's recipe for the most part but added my own twist. Meaning I added a little more heat with thai chili paste and red pepper flakes (that's how I roll).


Thai Style Turkey Burgers OR Sliders
Inspired by Caras Cravings
Ingredients:
1 package of 93% lean ground turkey
2 medium carrot, shredded or 1 cup of pre shredded carrots if you're lazy like me!
2 large scallion, minced
1 tablespoon of sesame oil
1 spoonful of chili garlic sauce (I used thai chili paste)
2 large spoonfuls of natural peanut butter
shake of red pepper flakesfreshly ground salt & pepper
Hamburger Buns or Bibb Lettuce, WrapsInstructions:Combine the burger ingredients a mixing bowl and combine thoroughly. Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat and spray lightly with cooking spray. Form the turkey mixture into 4 large patties, or 10 or so miniature "sliders". Cook large patties for about 7-10 minutes per side, until cooked through. 

Sliders will take 3-5 minutes per side. I served my sliders on a Whole Wheat Wrap with Romaine Lettuce. Then I tossed it with the worlds best peanut sauce...

For the Sauce- 
Thai Peanut Sauce 
inspired by Baked Bree
Ingredients:
1/2 cup peanut butter 
1/2 cup hoisin sauce
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
2 garlic cloves minced
2 tablespoons sesame oil
2 Tablespoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon sriracha (or hot chili sauce)
1 Tablespoon fish sauce
red pepper flakes (optional)
1/2 cup boiling water
Instructions:
Combine everything in a sauce pan over medium heat while heating up the water in a kettle.  Mix it together and it will be super thick.  Then, add water a little at a time until you have the consistency of a nice peanut sauce. Then spread sauce over the burgers and enjoy!  You will have plenty more sauce left for dipping!

This burgers ROCKED!!!  I loved the burgers and the sliders and the peanut sauce made them even more amazing.  So easy to make, you guys gotta try them : )


On another note, I've been trying to write this post all week.  It's been a crazy couple of days with work! I'm helping plan my companies anniversary party that will be held tomorrow.  The bad part- I can't get into the convention hall until past 10pm to set up!!  It will be a long night for me!!!  I'll recap this years party next week, but check out last years, here!

And more random thoughts of the week... my CSA started this week!!! This year I've switched to Stillmans Farm from Silverbrook for one reason and one reason only: You get KALE every week! haha!  Look for a recap on what I got and what I did with this weeks goodies : )


And... we got our pictures back from the NYRR Mini 10K and they are hysterical.  Becky and I started the race together and in the first mile we saw a camera.  I remember saying "Becky, look... there's a camera- let's wave and smile and get a good picture together!"  Apparently Becky heard, "Camera, time to spaz out!!!!"  hahaha.  Love you Beck.  You are hysterical : )

I'll spare you with the picture of me almost vomiting at the end.  You're welcome. It's a beauty!

I have more thoughts going on in my brain but I'll save it for another post.  Topics you get to look forward to on the blog in the upcoming days...

-Anniversary Party Recap

-CSA Week 1

-My {possible} Marathon hiatus

-Restaurant Reviews- Ninja in NYC and TICO in Boston

oh...Happy Father's Day!

When you get behind on blogging due to busy schedules how do you get back on track?