Tiny Mint Chicken Burgers

By Peggy Knickerbocker

You can make the burger mixture ahead of time; it keeps for up to two days wrapped in plastic and refrigerated.

Servings: Serves 4 (8 patties)

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground chicken or turkey
• 1 small red or yellow onion or 4 green onions , finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh ginger
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh mint
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro (including stems)
• 1 large egg , lightly beaten
• 1 or 2 small green Thai chilies , seeded and finely chopped (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon olive oil

Directions:

Combine all ingredients except olive oil in a bowl and mix thoroughly. Shape by 1/3 cupfuls into 2 1/2-inch round patties.

Heat oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Fry patties until browned and cooked through, 5 to 7 minutes, turning once (take care not to char outside of patties before insides are cooked).

From Oprah.Com

Turkey Burger

Satisfy a hankering for a hamburger with this lower-calorie option. It's just as flavorful, but more diet friendly.

Ingredients:

1 pound ground turkey breast
1/4 onion , shredded, on the large holes of a hand grater or in a food processor
1/4 cup finely chopped green onion (scallion)
2 slices whole wheat bread , toasted and processed in a food processor for 1 minute to make crumbs
1/4 cup Better 'n Eggs or 1 egg , beaten
2 cloves garlic , finely chopped
1/8 tsp. ground mustard
Black pepper to taste
Vegetable oil cooking spray
4 whole wheat hamburger buns (about 115 calories each)
1 Tbsp. mustard
8 leaves lettuce
8 thick slices tomato
4 slices red onion

Directions:

Thoroughly mix the turkey, onion, green onion, bread crumbs, egg, garlic, mustard and pepper to taste in a large bowl. Form the mixture into 4 patties.

Heat a large, heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat.

Lightly coat the pan with cooking spray and place the patties in the pan. Cook
until the pink just disappears in the center, about 4 minutes on each side, or until a
thermometer inserted into the center of the burger reads 160°.

Slice the buns. Spread each top with mustard. Place the lettuce, tomato, onion and a
burger on the bottom bun and cover with the top. Serve.

From Oprah.Com (By Bob Greene)

Sloppy Joes

This familiar dish can be a smart choice with a few small changes that cut calories but not any of the flavor or satisfaction.

Servings: Serves 4

Ingredients:
•Vegetable oil cooking spray
•1 onion , finely chopped
•1 large sweet pepper , seeded and finely chopped
•12 ounces 95 percent lean ground beef
•1 1/4 cups chopped fresh tomatoes , or canned no-salt-added tomatoes
•1 cup canned, no-salt-added kidney beans , drained and rinsed, or cooked, mashed with the back of a fork
•4 Tbsp. tomato paste
•4 Tbsp. cider vinegar
•1/8 tsp. cloves
•1/4 tsp. cinnamon
•1/2 tsp. brown sugar
•1/4 tsp. salt
•Black pepper to taste
•4 whole wheat hamburger rolls (about 170 calories each)

Directions:

Heat a large skillet over medium heat and coat with cooking spray. Add the onion and
sweet pepper. Cook for 3 minutes, stirring.

Crumble in the ground beef and cook until browned; keep breaking it apart with a spoon for about 4 minutes.

Stir in the tomatoes, beans, tomato paste, cider vinegar, cloves, cinnamon, brown sugar, salt and pepper. Cook for an additional 4 minutes.

Divide the mixture evenly between the four rolls and serve.

From Oprah.Com

Sloppy Joes

Ingredients:

Vegetable oil cooking spray
1 onion , finely chopped
1 large sweet pepper , seeded and finely chopped
12 ounces 95 percent lean ground beef
1 1/4 cups chopped fresh tomatoes , or canned no-salt-added tomatoes
1 cup canned, no-salt-added kidney beans , drained and rinsed, or cooked, mashed with the back of a fork
4 Tbsp. tomato paste
4 Tbsp. cider vinegar
1/8 tsp. cloves
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. brown sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
Black pepper to taste
4 whole wheat hamburger rolls (about 170 calories each)

Instructions

Heat a large skillet over medium heat and coat with cooking spray. Add the onion and
sweet pepper. Cook for 3 minutes, stirring.

Crumble in the ground beef and cook until browned; keep breaking it apart with a spoon for about 4 minutes.

Stir in the tomatoes, beans, tomato paste, cider vinegar, cloves, cinnamon, brown sugar, salt and pepper. Cook for an additional 4 minutes.

Divide the mixture evenly between the four rolls and serve.Serves 4

From oprah.com