Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Memorial Day Italian Turkey Burgers with Tastefully Simple

Italian Turkey Burgers

 
Ingredients
1 lb. ground turkey
2 Tbsp. prepared Dried Tomato & Garlic Pesto Mix
1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
4 thin slices mozzarella or provolone cheese
4 tomato slices
4 hamburger buns

Directions
Combine first 3 ingredients; stir to blend. Shape turkey mixture into 4 patties; grill to desired doneness. Top each burger with a slice of cheese during the last minute of grilling. Place burgers on buns; top with a tomato slice. Serve with deli pasta salad. Makes 4 servings.

In The Know: MSG The "Know" Down

I happen to be one of those who's body cannot tolerate MSG or the long term Monosodium Glutamate.  If I eat something that contains it I know it and because of this it is even more important to me about the product I give to  my customers.


 Tastefully Simple products currently do not contain the ingredient MSG.  When MSG is added to a food, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) requires that it must be included on the ingredient list, as the ingredient "monosodium glutamate."  Other glutamate-containing food ingredients, such as hydrolyzed protein and autolyzed yeast extract, must also be listed on food labels.

Some people, like myself, may have varying sensitivities to MSG, just as to many other foods and food ingredients.  MSG is one of the several forms of glutamate used to enhance the flavor of savory foods.  People often use the term MSG to mean ALL glutamate.  Glutamate is an amino acid, found in all protein-rich foods.  It also occurs naturally in foods such as cheese, milk, mushrooms, meat and many vegetables.  I didn't know that, did you?

As always, the best source of ingredient information is the product label on the food itself.  I recommend that clients/customers consult their health-care provided if they have any specific concerns.

I hope you found this information helpful and useful as I did.

Simply Enjoy!

Jamie Volner, your TS Consultant
www.tastefullysimple.com/web/jvolner
The Food You Love, The Time You Deserve



Monday, May 21, 2012

Best Burgers Series: Let's Luau Burgers

As promised here is the second Burger of my Series and we're going to have an Ono time with them.  Oh, sorry, my husband lived in Hawaii for 20+ years and his Hawaiian lingo spills over to me.  Ono means "delicious".  If you like sweet 'n' savory then let's get started with this burger!

Ingredients
  • 1 lb. ground pork
  • 1-2 teaspoons Honey BBQ Seasoning & Rub
  • 2 tablespoons crushed pineapple drained
  • 4 sliced cooked crisp bacon
  • 4 hamburger buns
  • Prepared Let's Luau (tm)Hawaiian Dip Mix
Directions
Combine the first 3 ingredients; shape into 4 patties.  Grill until pork is no longer pink. Place cooked patties on buns; top with bacon and a dollop of Let's Luau Hawaiian Dip.  Makes 4 servings.

Testing Notes:

  • These burgers are scrumptious and delish while having a wonderful and unique flavor.  Most people will love these so don't be afraid to try something new outside of the standard grilled burger
  • Top with some provolone cheese and other condiments of your choice
  • Leave them oh the grill until cheese is melted then pop the buns on the grill for a nice toasting
  • Holey Schmoley they are fantastic, you really should make these
Mahalo (thanks for following) and Simply Enjoy!

Jamie Volner, your TS Consultant
The Food You Love, The Time You Deserve

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Best Burgers Series: Honey Apple Grilled Burgers

Here at my home I do the majority of the inside cooking and baking but when it comes to the great outdoors of grilling I pass the apron to my honey known as "The Rickster, Grill Master" of Pantano Vista Estates...what a fancy schmansy title hahaha.

Today I have one in a series of Best Burgers to share with you as well as a couple of grilling tips.  Let's start with the tips first.

  1. Get a smoker box for your gas grill...it will dramatically improve the flavor of your grilled foods
  2. If you have a specific grilling question, just post it below and I'll have my honey man respond, since I posses no grilling talent what-so-ever...well that is if you want my personal grilling specialty of burnt shoe leather then by all means ask me lol.
 What I do know is that I adore our Recipe book for Best Dressed Burgers booklet-every time I read it I am challenged to pick just one recipe but instead I've chosen to do a series of them for you starting with this one.  The Honey Apple Grilled Burgers made with our divine Honey Apple Grilling Sauce.  Now, on to the recipe.

Honey Apple Grilled Burger

Ingredients
Directions
Combine first 4 ingredients; shape into 5-6 patties.  Grill to desired doneness; brush Honey Apple Grill Sauce on during the last 1-2 minutes of cooking.  Serve on buns topped with additional Honey Apple Grill Sauce to taste.  Makes 5-6 servings.

Testing Notes:
  •  Recipe calls for both beef and pork but you can use all beef if you wish
  • Best way to mix up these ingredients is the old fashioned way, by hand.  I wear disposable plastic gloves when I do this
  • Adding the applesauce adds a hint of flavor plus moisture making a juicier burger
  • Wed your gloved hands with a little water when making the patties it  makes a huge difference in forming the patties to keep them from sticking
  • Serve with a slice of smoked cheddar cheese, bacon and drizzle them in the Honey Apple Grill Sauce...it's a huge HIT in this household.
Okay that's it for now, stay tuned for the next Best Burger in the Series the "Let's Luau Burgers".

Grill 'em up and Simply Enjoy,


Jamie Volner, your TS Consultant
The Food You Love, The Time You Deserve

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Mediterranean Chicken Breasts Recipe Tastefully Simple

Think about the last celebration event you went to such as a wedding, awards ceremony, any type of banquet.  What were they serving?  More than likely a chicken dish with an Italian style sauce.  They typically serve this type of meal because people like it, it's easy enough to prepare and it's expect at "fancy" gatherings.

My challenge to you is to have your own "fancy" night at home.  Chicken with sauce is actually super easy to make, and you can have a complete dinner on the table in less than an hour and that includes the baking time!

Mediterranean Chicken Breasts

Combine prepared Spinach & Herb Dip and feta cheese; chill until served.  Saute chicken breasts in Roasted Garlic Infused Oil until lightly browned on both sides.  Place in greased 8 inch (2 quart0 glass baking dish.  Combine remaining ingredients, spoon over chicken breasts.  Bake at 350 F for 35-45 minutes or until chicken is thoroughly cooked.  Top each serving with a dollop of Spinach & Herb mixture.  Makes 4 servings.

TIPS
  • Serve with pasta or rice on the side
  • You can use olive oil in place of Roasted Garlic Infused Oil
  • Sprinkle shredded Parmesan or mozzarella cheese on the chicken during the last few minutes of baking
  • Add toasted French bread brushed with Italian Garlic Bread seasoning, seasoned butter
Simply Enjoy,

Jamie Volner, your TS Consultant
The Food You Love, The Time You Deserve

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Shitake Teriyaki Chicken Recipe Tastefully Simple


Shitake Teriyaki Chicken









4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
2-3 teaspoons Roasted Garlic Infused Oil
2 tablespoons soy sauce
Shitake Teriyaki Sauce

Combine the first 3 ingredients in a resealable plastic bag.  Marinate chicken in fridge for 2-24 hours.  Grill or saute; top chicken with warmed Shitake Teriyaki Sauce to taste.  Makes 4 servings

Simply Enjoy,

Jamie Volner, your TS Consultant
The Food You Love, The Time You Deserve

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Itallian Pesto Chicken Tastefully Simple Style







Italian Pesto Chicken










3 Tbsp. Dried Tomato and Garlic Pesto Mix
2 Tbsp. Roasted Garlic Infused Oil
1/4 cup water
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
4 slices mozzarella cheese

Combine first ingredients, microwave on high 1 minute.  Cool completely.  Place chicken and pesto in a resealable plastic bag; toss to coat.  Marinate chicken and pesto in the fridge up to 2-24 hours.  Grill or saute; top with cheese.  Makes 4 servings.

Simply Enjoy,

Jamie Volner, your TS Consultant
The Food You Love The Time You Deserve