Mozzarella-Stuffed Bruschetta Turkey Burgers

Ready for a kickass recipe that's both filling and healthy? Next time you're craving something that tastes indulgent but won't kill your diet, try these bad boys.

What You'll Need:
1 pound lean ground turkey
1/2 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1 tbsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp olive oil
1/4 red onion, grated
salt and pepper to taste
2-3 slices fresh mozzarella

For bruschetta topping: 
2 ripe tomatoes, diced
1/4 cup red or white onion, finely chopped
2-3 tbsp freshly chopped basil
salt and pepper to taste
Balsamic glaze for drizzling  

Directions:
Mix ground turkey, dried spices, garlic powder, oil, onion, and salt and pepper in a bowl. Separate mixture into four sections and create fairly thin patties. (I made this recipe to serve two people but if you're less of a fatass than I am, you can make it to serve four people... but I'm telling you, you'll feel like you're eating a turkey slider instead.)


Put 1-1/2 slices of mozzarella on top of one patty, cover with another and seal edges. Place burgers on foil-lined baking sheet. Bake at 400 degrees for about 10 minutes, then broil on each side for an additional 4 minutes. Use a food thermometer to make sure burgers are fully cooked at 165 degrees.


While burgers are broiling, dice tomatoes and onions. Chiffonade basil (tutorial here) and mix all three together in a small bowl. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and add a drizzle of balsamic glaze. Set aside in fridge.


When the burgers are done, top them with bruschetta and an extra drizzle of balsamic glaze. Then die of utter happiness. 

This recipe has about 420 calories per (large) turkey burger. I have a pretty sizable appetite and I was stuffed... pun intended.


Enjoy!
xoxo,
L

Pear & Bleu Cheese Salad

As a kid my parents had to beg and plead with me to finish my salad. Now, as an adult, I have grown to like them a bit more but I'll admit they're not the first thing I reach for when I want to eat healthier. I no longer have the golden retriever sitting next to me willing to eat any table scrap I offered him. But I do have other secrets for getting my daily dose of greens.


One of them is this recipe from my boyfriend's mother. Who knew that adding a pear and some bleu cheese to a typical salad would make me actually request this dish at family get-togethers?


What You'll Need:


For the dressing
3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 medium shallot, minced
1 1/2 tsp chopped fresh thyme
1/2 cup olive oil


For the salad
1 5-ounce bag mixed baby greens (baby spinach works too)
2 large ripe pears -- halved, cored and thinly sliced
1 cup crumbled bleu cheese
1 cup walnuts, coarsely chopped
salt & pepper to taste


Whisk dressing together and pour over greens and pears. Crumble bleu cheese and walnuts over top and serve. Add some chopped grilled chicken breast and you have yourself a full meal!

picture from foodnetwork.com

If you know of any other delicious salad recipes that I should try, please send them my way! I'm always looking for new recipes to add to my arsenal!

You can also find this post on InWithSkin.com!

xoxo,

L

Diet-Friendly Dessert: Chocolate filled Raspberries

I follow what I like to call the "Best of Both Worlds" diet. Basically what that entails is sticking to a certain caloric intake during the week (eating mainly lean proteins and leafy greens) and once the weekend arrives, I let myself enjoy the finer things in life -- like pizza and chocolate cake.


When I first devised this plan I was having trouble sticking to the weekday portion because I am the type of person who NEEDS something sweet after every meal. I needed something that was both satisfying and diet friendly. I did some research and found this little gem of a recipe. And it's insanely simple to make.


What you'll need:
Handful of fresh raspberries (20-25)
One tablespoon semi-sweet chocolate chips (about 23 chips)
*Can substitute dark, milk or white chocolate chips too!


Pop one chocolate chip into each raspberry and voila! A figure-friendly dessert that only has 95 calories!