Craving Ellie in my Belly: White Chili

Christmas. Family. Food. California.  These are all things I love, and have been able to enjoy for the past 8 days. The husband and I enjoyed a wonderful week in California.  Playing with the niece and nephew, gorgeous Lake Tahoe, and catching up with friends and family were just what we needed after 5 lonely months in Texas. 

The family before Christmas Eve service

** I'm in my PJs for the next 2 pictures.  I'm kind of embarrassed to admit that I put them on Christmas Eve (we get a new pair every year!) and didn't take them off until we went skiing on the 26th.**

Helping Braden build his first Lego truck (note his bed hair--so cute!)

Playing in the snow with Hailey--yes, my jammies are under my fleece

 However, vacation is over and we're now back to reality. Sigh.

I'd planned to try out Ellie Krieger's "White Turkey Chili" while I visiting my family, but we had so many leftovers that we never got around to it.  Now that I'm home and the husband and I need to get back to our healthy eating, this was the perfect recipe for the first dinner back "home."  Thanks to Leslie of Lethally Delicious for picking this recipe--it forced me to try it out--and learn that hominy is something I should embrace, not fear. :)
    
While this recipe wasn't quick, it was certainly easy!

I forgot to get cilantro (oops) and I don't like greek yogurt (a sin in the foodie world, I know)--so we just ate our chili plain.  The husband topped his with some extra sharp cheddar--it was good, but unnecessary.

I was pleasantly surprised by this recipe.  I have a 50/50 chance with Ellie's food--sometimes I really like it, and other times it's bland.  I used heaping spoons when measuring out the spices (and added an extra poblano) but otherwise followed the recipe perfectly.

Will I make it again?  Absolutely.  Serve it up with Cooking Light's cornmeal biscuits and you have an enjoyable dinner!

Stuffed Turkey Burgers

We all have a perfectionist inside of us.

Before all of you laid-back people start to disagree with me, I want you to think for a minute: there is some aspect of your life in which you demand perfection.

Maybe you insist on making the bed because your spouse doesn't tuck in the sheets right.  Perhaps you dry clean everything because even after years of practicing, your ironing is sub-par.  Maybe some of you set your alarm earlier than necessary because you need to make your make-up and/or hair just right.

Some of us are more in-tune with our inner type A personality--and I happen to be one of them.  The husband--not so much.

Today, we both realized his "baby" that he won't trust to anyone:

burgers.

As I begin to get out the ingredients for today's burgers, I notice he's hovering more than usual.   "Do you need something?"

"No."

"Okay, well I need to get started on the burgers."

I chop the peppers, grate the cheese...and see he's still standing there.  Hmm.  This is unusual.  Then, it hits me.

"Would you like to make the burgers?"

He smiles and nods, sheepishly.  The inner control freak is screaming inside of me, "I need to make these burgers! It's my blog!"  But...the key to marriage is compromise, and let's face it--the husband doesn't make requests too often.

I concede.

I will now chronicle his steps in the kitchen to create Ellie Krieger's stuffed turkey burgers.

**Note: I'm not a completely insensitive wife.  Every time a recipe requires grilling, I happily allow him to do it.  In our house, he's King of the Grill, and I like it that way.  So of course he was going to cook the burgers--I mean, I'm not trying to strip his manhood away or anything.

Step 1: Chop peppers, grate cheese, and form 8 patties.

Step 2: Top 4 patties with cheese and peppers; top with a "clean" piece.  Seal two patties together and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

**Note: we added our favorite seasoning for burgers: Susie Q's Santa Maria seasoning.  It's basically a slightly fancier garlic salt.

Step 3: Grill to perfection.

I don't know your take on turkey burgers, but here's mine in a nutshell:
Turkey burgers are nowhere as amazing as beef burgers.

There, I said it.  I know, I know--red meat is so much higher in fat and cholesterol, and I generally try to limit my intake...but so far, turkey burgers have been a sad substitute for the 'real thing.'

Until today.

I officially have faith in Ellie Krieger after today's meal.  I'm sure there will be ups and downs, as with any relationship--but today's burgers were so good that I now eagerly anticipate the next month of cooking with her recipes.  Because yes, as previously mentioned--I am type A and already have my next 4 weeks of meals planned out.

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 10 minutes

Pros:
*quick and easy
*delicious!
*kid friendly--I think
*satisfying and low-calorie
*the anal burger-person in your life will probably volunteer to make dinner

Cons:
*Husband says using previously frozen ground turkey would be tough to work with--so make sure you use fresh.  (Not a huge "con" in my book...but worth noting)

Go buy fresh ground turkey today--you won't be disappointed!

Here's the recipe, which is from The Food You Crave: Luscious Recipes for a Healthy Life



Nutritional Info: (per burger patty)

Calories: 256

Total Fat: 7g

Cholesterol 56g

Sodium 630mg

Protein 43mg

Carbohydrates 5g

Fiber 0g