Sunday, June 19, 2011

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, Wraps
Instructions: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?

16 comments:

  1. I save my most photogenic moments for race day :)

    And I plan to come over and eat some burgers with you this summer. Consider yourself warned!

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  2. Thai food and turkey burgers are two of my favorite foods! I need to make these!

    Ooooh and I am so curious to hear about why you may be taking a marathon hiatus. I hope it's for the reason I'm thinking ;)

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  3. Thai peanut sauce is indescribably tasty.

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  4. For the record, *you* are my food blogging idol.

    Oh and funny about the kale... I'm in a veggie co-op, and when it's my turn to shop, we always get kale. My partner subbed and went with another lady this time, and no kale. I immediately texted her to see if she had been abducted by aliens... no, she had just gotten some at the store so didn't get it for our co-op. I am still shaking my head at her. LOVE kale. ;-)

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  5. I've never made turkey burgers/sliders, you are totally inspiring me to make some soon!

    When I know I'm going to busy during the week, I try to write my blog posts the weekend before. But when I really don't have time, I just don't stress about it too much and just blog when I can. We all go through busy periods so don't be so hard on yourself!

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  6. I keep trying to talk Jeff into trying turkey burgers. Maybe I can convince him with that awesome peanut sauce!

    I try to write a bunch of posts when I'm in a groove... so I have a backup for times when I just don't feel like writing or just don't have time.

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  7. You are too sweet! I'm so glad you liked the burgers and I totally support you adding more spice because the sauce I make for them does carry much of the heat.

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  8. I love your photos! I never get any good ones (perhaps because i miss the cameras just like I missed seeing you!). Those burgers look amazing.

    I do get behind on blogging, but I try not to stress about it!

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  9. Your Mini photos are awesome!!!! The photographers never seem to get me at the beginning when I'm looking all good, they find me near death at the end :)

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  10. don't you hate when it takes days to write one post! half the time it just means I don't blog about everything I want to!!

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  11. I want to try Cara's burgers that have been puree in them - the girl knows what she's doing! Whenever I do a lot of cooking, I queue up a zillion posts so that I have them when I'm away like this past weekend or just plain lazy!

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  12. I'm with you. Cara is one of my most fav bloggers. I can say you are one of mine too! Your CSA recipes were always so inspiring and helped me be more creative with my csa produce!

    Dawn
    www.floridacoastalcooking.com

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  13. I love the pictures. You were having a blast!

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  14. You're so cute to always make her recipes! I love turkey burgers! YOU are my burger idol, for sure :) The pics of you and Becky are great!

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  15. Those burger's look awesome!! Love the photos from the 10k, Becky is having a BALL! Love it & miss you ladies!!

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  16. Those Thai sliders looks very scrumptious. Thank you very much.

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