Pizza Crust

I have a huge fear of making bread of any type. I have watched countless videos on foodnetwork and yet it always felt like so much work and I hated the idea I would make it and it would suck. I have a friend here in Seattle who used to make pizza for us when I was in high school. Kosta went on to open his own restaurant and happens to still make very delicious pizza and many other dishes at Varlamos pizzeria. I asked if he would show me just how to make a crust and he was generous enough to walk me through it. We made a dough and set it aside to rise while we chatted about our lives and old high school stories. I took that dough home and he gave me toppings for it so I could create a pizza for me and my family. 

I made my stock sauce that I often make for pasta and made pepperoni for the kids. I added a little onion on the second half and arugula for the second pie. The dough we made allowed me to make 4 medium size pies. I like my crust thin so I was able to get 4 easily. 

The recipe he gave me is for a basic Italian crust. It is not his restaurants recipe but damn good. The best things I learned from this experience is that crust is quite easy to make. I also learned that if you treat it with love it will taste wonderful and have great texture. I've made this for a few of my family members and they all said I make the best pizza they have ever had. 

The second time I made it my mom said she would like the sauce to have more garlic so I doubled it and it was even better. Kosta taught me to not be afraid and just play with it. He also said I can let the dough rise in the fridge and I have done that both times. I am no longer afraid of pizza and wanted to share my story with you all. Try it and let me know what you think. 

Ingredients for crust

3 1/2 - 4 cups of flour

2 tablespoons sugar

1 1/2 tablespoons salt

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 1/2 cups water 110 degrees

1 package of instant yeast

Stock sauce

Recipe

In a mixer with hook attachment add flour, yeast, sugar and salt and mix around. Pour in hot water and olive oil slowly. mix together until it all comes together. Add more flour to your counter and place dough on top. You will have to kneed dough and add flour until it is no longer sticky. Place in a bowl that has light coating of olive oil. Let it rise for a 2-3 hours or overnight.

Pre heat oven to 500 degrees

Once it is all puffed up take dough out and cut into 4 pieces. I use four pieces because I like crust to be thin. lightly oil a pan and slowly start to stretch out the dough and push onto a pan until you get desired thickness. add sauce but don't over do it or it gets to soggy. Then add cheese and whatever toppings you enjoy. Bake at 500 for about 10-15 minutes. start with 10 and check it.

I didn't add my sauce recipe because you can add whatever sauce you enjoy. You can even use jar sauce if you want. If you choose to add arugula and I add it after is baked. I toss it with tiny bit of olive oil and add as much or little as you want.

Thank you Kosta for being so wonderful. I look forward to exploring even more with dough. 

Beef Burritos aka Mexi Melts

I found these on Pinterest under copycat of a Mexi Melt. I never had a one of those but I know that it looked amazing so I needed to make it. The combination of taco meat, cheese and pico de gallo is so wonderful and it has become a great addition to taco night. My mom loved them so much she said she can no longer eat Taco Time anymore. What's also great about them is how easy they are to make. Coolidge who doesn't even like tomatoes likes these. 

Give it a try and let me know what you think. 

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef
1 package taco seasoning
8 ounce pepper jack cheese
8 ounce cheddar cheese
8-10 flour tortillas
Pico de Gallo

Recipe

In a large skillet brown ground beef. Add taco seasoning and cook according to instructions.

To each tortilla add pepper jack cheese, spoon over beef mixture, pico de gallo, and then cheddar cheese. Wrap and microwave for 30 seconds to 1 minute.

Yes it's that easy.

Broccoli Cheese Soup

My family loves soup and one of our favorites is Broccoli Cheddar. I have seen several recipes on the food network and on pinterest. After reading many and trying some I came up with a nice version that my family just loved. It is perfect for a cold winter day like today. 

This soup is not a low calorie soup but I saw it done with half and half and I was able to make it with whole milk which made it less fattening but still creamy. Let me know what you think. 

Ingredients

5 tablespoon butter

1/4 cup flour

1/2 of a medium onion chopped

1 1/2 cup broccoli floretts 

3/4 cup shredded carrots

3 cups chicken stock

2 cups whole milk

6 oz shredded cheddar cheese

1/4 tsp nutmeg

salt and pepper to taste

Directions

In a large pot add 1 tablespoon of butter and chopped onion. Cook about 1 min until onion softened. Add 4 tablespoon butter and once melted add flour. whisk and cook about 1-2 minutes until creamy and bubbling. Slowly add 2 cups chicken broth while whisking and then add milk. Simmer for about 10-20 minutes until nice and creamy. 

Add bite size broccoli florets and carrots along with one more cup of Chicken broth. Cook on low for about 20 minutes. Add nutmeg and cheese. cook until cheese has melted. Add salt and pepper to taste. I emulsify one small section to cream just a bit of the broccoli but that's eat because my kids love the broccoli the most. 

This serves 4 but you can double it so you can have leftovers. 

Pasta E. Fagioli (Olive Garden Copy Cat)

One of the reasons I love having a facebook page is that friends share their wonderful recipes. I posted a question about favorite soups and a friend recommended this recipe. I had to change it a bit because my crock pot was not big enough to double just about everything. I wish it was because then we could have some for dinner and freeze some for a later day. She also added Tabasco sauce. I would normally add that but my son sometimes has a hard time with tomato base soup and the added extra spice would make it even more difficult for his tummy. I am not used to making soup with pasta and 8 oz seemed like so little so I made 16 oz and added as much as I thought made sense. I regretted that because the pasta soaks up a lot of broth and I had to add more broth later.

This soup reminded me of a cross between lasagna, chili, and minestrone. We all loved it and had seconds except Brody. He doesn't really like chili or lasagna so it made sense he didn't like this soup. I loved it and am looking forward to making it again.

The next time I make it, I may change adding the pasta. I may only add it to each bowl. It might be better when reheating. Try it and let me know what you think.

Ingredients

1lb Ground Beef. 

1/2 onion chopped

2 carrots chopped

2 celery stalks chopped

1 can diced tomato 

1 can red kidney beans rinsed

1 can northern beans rinsed

4 cups beef stock or broth

1 (25 oz) jar Prego spaghetti sauce (I used tomato garlic)

2 teaspoon dried Oregano

salt and pepper to taste

8 oz ditalini pasta

Parmesan cheese for topping 

Directions

In a large skillet brown ground beef. Add it and all ingredients except pasta to the crock pot. Cook on low for 7-8 hours or low for 4-5 hours. The last hour of cooking you should boil pasta and under cook slightly. Drain and add during the last half hour. 

Ultimate Potato Salad

I love potato salad but after I found this recipe I haven't had one as good since. What I love about this salad is the red potatoes hold up well and it has a combination of mayo and sour cream so the dressing is lighter and still very flavorful. 

I found this recipe from Paula Deen. She call's it Lady's warm potato salad. It is supposed to be served right away. It is good that way but personally I think it taste better after it has been sitting for hours even the next day. I find the flavors meld together much better. I don't add everything she adds so If you want it just the way she does you should check out the link under her name. 

Ingredients

8 medium red potatoes
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves
1/4 cup chopped green onion tops
1 cup chopped celery
3 hard boiled eggs, chopped
1/4 cup chopped bell pepper
1 tablespoons seasoning salt
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 cup sour cream

Directions

In a large pot, boil the potatoes with the skins on for 10 to 15 minutes until tender. Let the potatoes cool just to the touch and cut into cubes.

In a large bowl, combine the next 5 ingredients. In a medium bowl combine last 4 ingredients. Pour over salad and combine it all gently. 

Serve at room temperature or I prefer it sit for hours even over night. 

Hamburger Dip

My mother has been making these for me for as long as I can remember. I am a huge fan of a good french dip and a hamburger dip is a great substitution. When I moved to NYC I was amazed to find they don't even know what a french dip is. I had to slowly introduce my husband to them and now he loves them but not as much as me. 

My kids love hamburgers but they don't love dipping them in au jus so I make hamburger dips for Ben and I and regular hamburgers for them. I hope one day their taste buds will change and they too will love these. 

The trick to them is the bread. You need a good crust on the outside and soft in the inside hoagie roll. That way when you dip it, the bread doesn't get too soggy. And don't over dip. I hope you try these and like them as much as me. 

Ingredients
1 lb ground beef
1 packet of au jus
3 hoagie rolls
6 slices of sharp cheddar cheese
butter for bread
salt and pepper

Directions

Add packet to medium pot and follow directions. Heat while you make burgers.

Pre heat griddle. Separate ground beef into thirds. Form patties into oval long burgers the same shape as bun. Salt and pepper each patty and when the griddle is hot place each patty on and cook for 4 minutes depending on thickness. 

Flip burger and add cheddar cheese and cook for another 4 minutes. Don't be shy with the cheddar. Butter each side of the hoagie and toast in broiler for about 2  minutes. 

Assemble sandwich cut in half and add au jus to small bowl on the side. 

Crockpot Chili

My sister Brandi has been telling me about this chili recipe for quite some time. Her and my other sister Lindsy make it all the time and said my dad loves it. Well its safe to say my dad is a bit picky so I had to try it for that reason and because it just seemed so darn easy. I am always looking for a good crock pot recipe because with two kids it can be very hard to make dinner every night.

Well we all loved it and am looking forward to making it again. Maybe next time I will add two cans of everything like she recommended so I can freeze some for a later date. Try it and let me know what you think.


Ingredients

1 CAN OF TOMATO SAUCE
1 CAN OF PETITE CHOPPED TOMATOES
1 SMALL CAN OF CHOPPED CHILI PEPPERS
1 CAN OF CHILI BEANS (sometimes 2 cans) 
1 CAN OF PORK AND BEANS
1/2 ONION - diced
1 LB OF GROUND TURKEY
1 PACKET OF CHILI SEASONING

Directions

Add all the cans with juices to the cold crock pot and then turn on. Then I chop the onion and throw it into a hot pan with a little oil til they are soft and then brown the turkey until no longer pink. Then I add the chili seasoning to the turkey/onion mixture and then pour all of it into the, hopefully hot, crock pot. Cook on low all day or high for 4-6 hours. 

Easy Homemade Chicken Soup

I have bought chicken soup at Whole foods for years and paid a pretty penny every time. I went there a few days ago and they didn't have there soup out just yet. I decided I could make my own and save my self a ton of money. I was worried it would be too bland and it would have to cook all day. Well I was wrong it only took 30 minutes an it was very tasty. Next I'm going to attempt to make my own stock. As a kid I loved Lipton's chicken noddle soup so I added cut up pieces of thin vermicelli. Try this and let me know what you think. 

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil

20 baby carrots cut up into bite size slices

1 large cooked chicken breast cut up 

1 onion diced

2 cloves garlic minced

5 sprigs of thyme

2 1/2 quarts chicken stock

1 1/2 cups cut up vermicelli

salt and pepper

Directions

In a large stock pot add 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Add onion and cook for 2 minutes. Add garlic and carrots and cook 6 minutes.

Add Chicken and Stock and thyme and simmer. In another pot boil water and cook any noodle you desire. I add thin vermicelli because I don't like my noodles to thick. Just under cook the noodles because they will cook more in the soup. Simmer until carrots are just tender and then serve. taste and then add salt and pepper if needed. 

I didn't add celery for two reasons. One because my kids don't like it and then I have to fish there's out but also I didn't have any. You can add any thing you like to this soup. 

Chicken Parmesan Sandwich

We used to buy these at the deli up on Broadway at least once a week. Sometimes it would be super delish and sometimes it was just alright. I had some leftover sauce from pasta I made a couple nights ago and decided to make chicken parm sandwiches. They turned out so well that now I can't even imagine gambling on the deli anymore. My husband and Coolidge just loved them. I think next time I might add parmesan cheese to the butter spread.

Try them and let me know what you think.

Ingredients

Basic Tomato Sauce
2 hoagie rolls
2 thin chicken cutlets
3 oz shredded mozzarella cheese
3 tbs butter
2 cloves garlic minced
1 tsp Italian seasoning
3 eggs
1 1/2 cups bread crumbs
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
1/2 cup flour
salt and pepper

Directions

Cook chicken just like we did in Chicken Parmesan and set aside.

In a small bowl add 3 tbs butter, minced garlic and Italian seasoning. Mix it together and spread it on the hoagie rolls. Place them under the broiler until lightly toasted.

Add chicken to the bottom side and place shredded mozzarella on the chicken and place back under the broiler until cheese has melted. Then add sauce to the top of the chicken and then top side of bread and cut in half and serve.

Roasted Tomato Caprese Salad

One of my favorite things about living in NYC is how easy it is to get great buffalo mozzarella. Of course I wish I had the best of both worlds, great mozzarella and tomatoes and basil growing in my garden. So for now I just have to take advantage of the amazing grocery stores that offer all of these.  I am also a huge fan of the Barefoot Contessa so I decided to make her recipe of Roasted Tomato Caprese Salad. I got it out of her Back to Basics book. I brought it to a picnic and it was a huge hit. What is great about this is you can make it early and it transports well. I've also made this as a appetizer for a dinner on top of a lovely crusty bread or cracker. Try it and let me know what you think.

Ingredients

12 plum tomatoes, halved lengthwise, seeds (not core) removed

1/4 cup good olive oil, plus more for drizzling

1 1/2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

2 large garlic cloves, minced

2 teaspoons of sugar

kosher salt and pepper

16 ounces fresh salted mozzarella

12 fresh basil leaves, julienned

Directions

Pre heat oven to 275 degrees

Arrange the tomatoes on a sheet pan, cut sides up, in a single layer. Drizzle with the olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Sprinkle with the garlic, sugar, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Roast for 2 hours until the tomatoes are concentrated and begin to caramelize. Allow the tomatoes to cool to room temperature.

Cut the mozzarella into slices slightly less than 1/2 inch thick. If the slices of mozzarella are larger than the tomatoes, cut the mozzarella slices in half. Layer the tomatoes alternately with the mozzarella on a platter and scatter the basil on top. Sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper and drizzle the lightly with olive oil. Serve at room temperature.

Pasta Tuna Salad

My mother used to make this pasta salad for me when I was a kid and I still love it. The funny thing is she doesn't really remember it at all. My kids don't like it but me and my husband can't get enough it of it. I usually only make it during the summer and it seems to be a big hit at our picnic's up at the great hill. It is a great salad to bring to a party because it goes well with just about anything. Try it and let me know what you think.

Ingredients
1 pound fusili pasta
1 can of tuna drained
1 8 ounce can of sliced black olives
1 red bell pepper diced
2 stalks celery diced
4 scallions sliced thinly
2 pickles cut up and diced

Dressing

1 1/2 cups of mayo
2 tablespoons pickle juice
2 tablespoons yellow mustard
salt and pepper
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning

Directions

In a large pot boil water and cook pasta according to instructions. Drain pasta and rinse with cold water. Drain well and mix in all the other ingredients. Whisk together mayo, mustard, pickle juice, salt and pepper and Italian seasoning, until combined well. Add dressing to the pasta mixture. Cover and sit in refrigerator until ready to serve. I usually make mine early in the day so all the flavors blend together.

Sub Sandwich a.k.a The Big Sandwich

Football season has started and this sandwich is perfect for game day. This sub happens to be my favorite. I have been making it for quite a few years now because I find it very difficult to find it to be fresh good quality meat, cheese and bread. Every year my family asks me to make this and it is probably the only sandwich that can sit over night in the fridge and still taste fantastic the next day for lunch. I have changed the meat and cheese many different ways but I have to say this combo is always the best. My sister calls it the big sandwich because I usually use a big, fat, crusty on the outside soft in the side French loaf.

Ingredients

Large french loaf
1/4 lb thinly sliced honey turkey
1/4 lb thinly sliced honey ham
6 slices of salami

6 slices of provolone
2 cups shredded Romain lettuce
6-7 slices of tomato
6 thinly sliced sweet onion
1 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons mayo
3 tablespoons mustard
1 tablespoons red wine vinegar
salt and pepper


Directions

Slice bread in half and remove a bit of the inside on each side. This allows room for all the meat, cheese and veggies. Add mayo to each side of the bread and then mustard on the top. Layer with ham, turkey, salami, and cheese. Then add lettuce, tomato, onion, salt and pepper and vinegar and oil. Top with the other half of the loaf and cut into 5 to six slices. 

I first gut out of the a bit of the bread so the filling sinks into it and doesn't get pushed out when biting into it.

1st layer ham

2nd layer turkey

3rd layer salami

4th layer provolone cheese

5th layer is lettuce tomato, onion salt and pepper mayo and mustard on both sides of the bread. 

Pub Mustard

Many many years ago I worked at the Nordstrom Cafe. No matter how many years ago it was I could never forget their club sandwich with pub mustard. I tried to find it at every store I've ever been to and then decided to see if I could make it. I found a recipe on line after googling it and was so excited to try it. I hated the idea that every recipe I found called for 2 cups of dry mustard because it is so expensive. I found a large bottle at a discount grocery store and it turned out horrible. I guess you get what you pay for. Well I went out and bought Colemans and decided to cut the recipe down so I could make a little and if I hated it well then it didn't cost too much.

This time it turned out amazing and we had club sandwiches several times after just so we could eat this mustard. If you never had pub mustard it is a sweet spicy thick mustard that gives your sandwich that extra kick. That is why when I worked at the Nordstrom cafe they only gave you a tiny little cup on the side. I am so happy that I no longer need to search for this mustard and can make it when ever I want it. Try it and let me know what you think.

Recipe for Pub Mustard

1/2 Cup dry mustard

1/4 cup brown sugar (you can add more if you like it sweeter)

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon turmeric

4 ounces of strong British ale flat

I just added all ingredients and whisked with until fully incorporated. It says to do it in a blender but I didn't feel it was necessary the second time I made it. I also added the beer slowly until you get the right consistency that you like. It thickens as it sits and taste better after sitting for a day. 

Recipe for the sandwich

1/4 pound of thinly sliced honey ham
1/4 pound thinly sliced honey turkey
2 slices of sharp cheddar cheese
3 tablespoon mayo
2 slices of tomato
1 slice of roman lettuce
3 slice of french bread lightly toasted

Directions

1st layer is mayo, ham and lettuce. Then the 2nd layer is mayo, turkey, tomato, and cheddar. Then top sandwich with another slice of bread with mayo. Cut in 4 triangles and put toothpick in through each piece to hold it together. Add pub mustard on each bite just a little and then add more if you enjoy that extra spice. 

1st layer mayo, ham and lettuce

2nd layer mayo, turkey, tomato, cheddar

Try it and let me know what you think.

Applebee's Oriental Salad

I found this recipe on pinterest. I am not a big fan of Applebee's but we do go there from time to time for family dinners and the only thing I like is the Oriental Salad. When I saw this recipe on pinterest I had to check it out because I love the dressing so very much. I have to thank Mommy, I'm hungry's blog because I made this salad for me and my mom and we both devoured it. I did change the salad a bit but the dressing is the same except I added salt and pepper. Try it and let me know what you think.

Ingredients for Dressing

3 tablespoons Honey

1 1/2 tablespoons Rice Vinegar

1/4 cup mayo

1 teaspoon Dijon Mustard

1/8 teaspoon Sesame Oil

Add all ingredients to a small bowl and whisk until well blended. Let sit until chicken and salad is prepared. This made enough for two salads but I would double it if you plan to make more.

Ingredients for Chicken

1 lb chicken tenderloin

2 eggs well blended

1 cup of flour

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon of pepper

1 cup of canola oil

Heat Canola oil until very hot. Mix flour with salt and pepper. Salt and pepper each piece of chicken. Dip each tenderloin in egg and then dredge in flour. Place it in the oil and fry until brown. Then turn and brown the other side. Cool and drain on a paper towel. Once the all chicken is cooked prepare each salad.

Ingredients for Salad

1/2 of head of lettuce chopped

1/2 bag of prepared coleslaw

2 scallions chopped

1 cup of chowmein noodles
1 cup slivered almonds toasted

Prepare each plate with salad ingredients and then add at least one or two cut up fried tenderloins. Drizzle dressing over the top.

Pork Sandwich

One of the best reasons for hosting a holiday is the leftovers. This Easter I made pork tenderloin for dinner and oh boy was it yummy. I used it in this bagel sandwich the day after. It was perfectly tender and the garlic and balsamic vinegar seasoned it just right. I added some pesto into mayo and added red onion. First try this easy breezy pork tenderloin and try this sandwich the next day. I had it for two days straight and I am still not sick of the pork. 

Ingredients

6 slices of pork

mixed greens

thinly sliced red onion

1 tablespoon pesto

1 tablespoon mayo

Turkey and Swiss on a Croissant

Turkey and Swiss on a Croissant is simple and one of the best sandwiches in the world. If you live or work near a cafe or bakery that sells fresh croissants buy one and make this sandwich. I promise you will be the happiest person at lunch time. 

Ingredients

Fresh croissant
3-4 slices of honey turkey
2 slices of Swiss cheese
1 tbs mayo (not miracle whip)

Directions

Slice croissant in half and coat with a very light spread of mayo. Croissant are full of butter so they really don't need much mayo. Add turkey and then cheese. Nothing more nothing less. Best sandwich hands down. Try it for lunch or dinner today and let me know what you think. 

Roast Beef Sandwich

I love a roast beef sandwich and one of my fondest memories as a child was going to the Long Acres and ordering their roast beef and eating while watching the horse race. I have tried to recreate that sandwich over and over but never got it just right, close but not perfect. However this sandwich is not the one at long acres it is to me the classic roast beef and cheddar that I like to have once in awhile. To me the beef must be sliced fresh and used that day so, I only buy enough beef for just one or two sandwiches. After a day or two the meat drys out and becomes undesirable. Living in NYC for 15 years I have become a deli meat connoisseur and quite a snob about it. I've also become the sandwich queen in my family so give this one a try and let me know what you think.

Ingredients
1 french baguette
1/4 lb Roast beef sliced thin
2 tbs butter
5 thin slices of red onion
4 slices of cheddar cheese
4 thin slices of tomato
handful of mix lettuce
2 tbs mayo
1 tbs yellow mustard
salt and pepper

Directions

Slice half baguette in half. I like to butter each side lightly and toast under the broiler for about 2-3 minutes. You don't have to do it but I find baguette to be tough and very chewy. If you toast it you make it much more tender and easier to bite through. Add mayo on each side and mustard on the top. On the bottom add roast beef and salt and pepper. Dont' be shy with it because beef can be very bland. Add tomato, cheese, lettuce and onion. I like to slice mine in half and then in half again. Smaller makes it easier to handle. I don't like when you take a bit and all the insides get pushed to the end and sometimes out of the bread.

Let me know how you like to eat yours. I am always looking for new ideas.

Turkey Burger

I started making turkey burgers about 3 years ago to help cut back on eating so much ground beef. I saw a photo in one of my food magazines that looked so delish and decided to give it a try. I think the trick to making turkey burgers taste better than beef burgers is what you add to the meat. When you cook a hamburger you don't have to add anything. I think the more you add to a hamburger the more it taste like a meat loaf burger. However turkey can be very dry so you need to add a little something to make it juicy.

Ingredients
1 package of ground turkey
1/4 of an onion finely grated
2 tsp cumin
2 tsp chili powder
dash of salt and pepper
2tbs olive oil divided
1 onion sliced
Sharp cheddar cheese
5 Brioche Rolls

Directions

Put Turkey, finely grated onion, cumin, chili powder and a dash of salt and pepper in a bowl. Using your hands mix it all together well because there is nothing worse then to bite into a big bite of cumin or chili powder. Then form them into 1inch patties that are a little larger then the bun.  The ground turkey has a little bit of fat in it so it will shrink a little. Lightly salt and pepper each patty. Place on a piping hot non stick pan with a little bit of olive oil. Cook for at least 5 min on each side. While you are cooking the burgers in a medium sized skillet brown onion slices in 1 tbs of olive oil. Cook them until brown and tender. Once you flip the burger add enough slices of cheddar cheese to give it a good covering. Cook 5 minutes on this side and then it is ready to serve. I like mine on a toasted brioche roll. I add the onions on top and mayo and mustard on my bun. That is it. Very simple and absolutely delish. I make THE best hamburgers but for some reason my husband loves these even better. Try them and let me know what you think.

Taco Salad

My mother started making these salads for me since I was about 10 years old. It is very easy to make, light in calories depending on how much cheese and sour cream you use. I love making them in the summer because it gets so hot and I don't want to turn my oven on. However, I also love making them in the winter.

Ingredients

1 bag Tostitos tortilla chips (I like the rounds)
shredded cheddar cheese
chopped Iceberg or Romain lettuce
salsa
sour cream
1 15 oz can Hormel Turkey chili
1 lb ground turkey
chopped scallions

Directions

In a large skillet brown ground turkey. Once it is cooked through add 1 can of your favorite chili. I use turkey chili because it has less fat. I tried the vegetarian but it wasn't as tasty. While that is cooking Line the bottom of your plate with tortilla chips (about 15 of them). Add shredded cheese. You can add just a little cheese if you are cutting back on calories or add none at all. Melt the cheese in the microwave for about 45 seconds. Then layer with ground turkey, chopped lettuce, shredded cheese, scallions, salsa, and sour cream (you can use Greek yogurt).

Let me know what you think. Sometimes I add pickled jalapenos on the top. You can add or take away anything you prefer. I promise it will become a staple in your home once you try it.

The Best Hamburger Ever

Notice the lump...that is the relish heating up inside 

I love making hamburgers and most importantly I love EATING hamburgers. I've tried making them many different ways but the one my mom taught me has to be the most delish. She learned this technique from when she used to work at the plaza broiler in Seattle. 

 I wish you could hear the sizzle from the hot pan

I have a few must haves when it comes to the best burger. The meat should be at least 1/2 inch thick. Unless you want it to be a double burger and I do highly recommend that but, then the meat should only be 1/4 inch think. The patty also should be a little larger in diameter than the bun because when it cooks it shrinks quite bit and then you get a bunch of people looking at you like..."where's the beef." Make sure you salt and pepper and don't be stingy. I like cooking mine on a cast iron skillet because it gives the perfect temperature and caramelizing on each side. I usually cook them for about 4 minutes on high on each side. You can do less if you want it more rare in the middle. Make sure your pan is piping hot before you start or one side will not caramelize as well. 

Don't be forget this step

One very important ingredient for this perfect hamburger is a big dollop of relish in the center. Once you flip the burger place the relish in the middle and then your cheese over the top. You can use cheddar or American but just don't be stingy. I like cheddar because it gives it that extra tang. Let the cheese melt over the top sealing the relish on to the burger. 

Butter the bun and don't over toast

While they are cooking toast your brioche roll in the broiler for about 2 minutes. The brioche roll is another factor in making the perfect hamburger. It holds up well. It has the right texture and thickness along with adding just a hint of sweetness. Once you eat a burger on a brioche roll it is hard to have it on any other bun. Just ask my mother. Now everyone is a little different when it comes to what they like on there burger but this is how you should assemble for it to be perfect. 1st Little bit of may on the bun with ketchup and mustard. 2nd My mother insists you place shredded lettuce on the bottom, tomato slices and thinly sliced onion. Then place the hamburger on top. The combination of all this and the relish oozing out warm is pure heaven.

As you can see I went against my mom and put my stuff on the top. They both make the best hamburger ever. Try it for dinner or lunch and let me know what you think.