Corey and I started making Cajun turkey burgers for our friends when we were newlyweds, living in San Diego. I was BY NO MEANS a cook back then. I considered spaghetti from a jar a real meal, and we often had breakfast for dinner. (Mmmmm. Breakfast.) But the first time we played host to a large group of friends, I decided to pull out a favorite recipe from my Mom, something that was familiar enough to be comforting but different enough to be exciting, and lo and behold, it was a hit.
Cooking good food. Who knew it would be popular?
CAJUN TURKEY BURGERS
1 beaten egg
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp ground red pepper
1/2 cup seasoned fine dry bread crumbs
1 lb ground turkey
In a large bowl, combine egg, Worcestershire sauce, salt, garlic powder, onion powder and red pepper. Add bread crumbs and ground turkey. Mix well. Shape into 3/4-inch-thick patties. Grill.
A few notes:
1. You MUST top these burgers with avocados in some form. This is a contractual requirement. Guacamole is preferred, but avocado slices will do in a pinch.
2. These burgers are spicy, but not in a run-from-the-room-screaming sort of way. (Although I do think they permanently scarred my Minnesotan in-laws. Of course, they can't handle pico de gallo for "the horrible burn." So take it as you will.) If you want to take the flavor up a notch, top them with pepper jack cheese. This doesn't absolve you from the guacamole provision. It is in addition.
3. I make my own bread crumbs by giving leftover heels of whole wheat bread a spin in my food processor. My homemade bread crumbs aren't seasoned, but I've never noticed a difference.
4. Whole wheat hamburger buns pair especially well with a healthier burger alternative like this. My favorites come from Trader Joe's.
5. This summer, I've started making Cajun turkey burgers in large batches and freezing the leftovers for lunch. A thawed burger nuked for 1 minute in a whole wheat bun is a healthy, flavorful lunch, and a welcome alternative to my standard peanut butter.
"Here, Taste This" is a new weekly feature. Every Friday, I put on my faux foodie hat and talk about one of my favorite topics. There's more info here.
