The Garden

Although most of my life I was tomboyish, one of the things I did not like to be like most little boys was dirty. I don't like yard work, dirt or grass but Bri is happy he has managed to get me to help with the garden. It is exciting for us to watch it grow and gives us one more thing we enjoy to do together. I can't wait for our garden to start producing ingredients I can use in the kitchen!

Feta Stuffed Turkey Burgers and Zucchini Crisps

This was a new recipe and it is a keeper! Bri says it is his new favorite meal to date. Healthy, fresh tasting and really yummo!

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon grated lemon rind (about one small lemon grated works)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 pound ground turkey
• 6 tablespoons crumbled feta cheese
• Cooking spray
• 1/4 cup grated English cucumber
• 1/4 cup plain fat-free yogurt
• 1 tablespoon chopped mint
• 4 tomato slices
• 4 green leaf lettuce leaves (or whatever lettuce you have)
• 4 Kaiser rolls or hamburger buns

Directions

1. Combine first 6 ingredients. Divide mixture into four portions. Indent center of each portion, place 1 1/2 tablespoons feta into each. Fold turkey mixture around feta cheese, shape each portion into 1/2 inch thick patty.
2. Heat grill pan 0r bbq over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add patties, cook 5 mins on each side.
3. Combine cucumber, yogurt, and mint in a small bowl. Arrange 1 turkey patty, 1 tomato, 1 lettuce leaf, and 2 tablespoons of yogurt mixture on the bottom half of each roll. Top with top halves of buns.

(Note: Instead of making the taziki dip to go on the burger, I bought mine from Trader Joes, which was easier and probably cheaper than buying all the individual ingredients)

Zucchini Crisps

• Zucchini
• bowl with milk for dipping
• bowl with bread crumbs for dipping
• parmesan cheese

1. Cut zucchinni into thin slices, hamburger cuts for big zucchini or hot dog cuts for small zucchini.
2. Pour some milk in one bowl and some bread crumbs in another bowl.
3. Dip zucchini in milk and then in bread crumbs to coat. Place on a cookie sheet lined with foil.
4. Sprinkle with cheese and bake at 425 degrees for 20 mins.
   

French Toast Caserole

I made this recipe recently for a bridal shower. It was really good and easy to make for a crowd.

Ingredients

• 5 cups bread cubes (I used Challah bread)
• 4 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 1/4 cup white sugar, divided
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon margarine, softened
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly butter and 8x8 baking pan.
2. Line bottom of pan with bread cubes. In a large bowl, beat together eggs, milk, 2 tablespoons of sugar, salt and vanilla. Pour egg mixture over bread. Dot with margarine; let stand for 10 minutes.
3. Combine remaining 2 tablespoons sugar with 1 teaspoon cinnamon and sprinkle over the top. Bake in preheated oven about 45-50 minutes, until top is golden.

***I doubled the recipe for a big group and put it in a 9x13 baking pan.

One Dish Breakfast

I received this recipe from a family friend and have made it many times. It is a great recipe for a brunch or if you cooking breakfast for a group.

Ingredients

• 1 pkg frozen shredded hash browns
• 2 cups diced ham
• co-jack cheese
• 14 eggs
• 1 cup milk
• salt/pepper

Directions

• Place hashbrowns in bottom of a 9x13 pan. Top with ham. Beat eggs, milk, salt and pepper. Pour over hashbrowns. Top with grated cheese.
• Bake 350 for 1 hour (or until eggs set)
• I usually have to bake it longer
• Enjoy!

ESan Thai

A couple of weeks ago a friend and I went down to Portland and decided to have some lunch. I had seen good reviews of this thai food restaurant on citysearch, so we decided to check it out. I love my thai restaurants and this one was excellent. Sometimes thai food restaurants can skimp on the portions but not here. We split two dishes the Pad thai with chicken and the Evil Prince Curry with chicken (which was suggested to us as their most popular curry). Both dishes were excellent and quickly arrived. The atmosphere was nice and the service was quick. If you are in downtown near 2nd and Pine Street I would highly recommend trying this restaurant.