Sunday, September 8, 2013

Turkey Sliders with Kale and Roasted Broccoli Spread


I'm generally okay with getting older.  Some people desire the ability to time travel back to high school, longing to be 16 again and rejoining cheerleading squads and all that jazz.  I'm not one of those sorts.  I have the "older is wiser" philosophy of life. However, while I don't wish to relive the past, I do wish I possessed the ability to stop myself from doing certain things.  But I digress.

One of the things I'm not okay with is my waning lack of enthusiasm for thrill rides.  And more specifically, roller coasters.  There was a time when I absolutely could not wait to be tall enough to go on a roller coaster, and as soon as I became tall enough, gleefully and joyfully rode those roller coasters.  I considered my love of roller coasters as an integral part of my identity, akin to being a reader or a person with brunette hair.

But now?  My love has has been frittered away.  I find them painful.  Painful.  Both physically, and now emotionally, as being tossed around in a tiny car appears to not be a kind thing to do to this almost 30 year-old body.  And emotionally, as this thing that I would look forward to doing each summer, this thing that I was always proud of doing, is no longer mine to claim.

One thing that will not wane, or I absolutely refuse to let it - is an enthusiasm for miniature foods.  I have fond memories of mini hamburgers (i don't remember calling them sliders at the time) being served by my mom. And absolutely loving their adorable size, a trait that never ceases to thrill me to this day.  Here we made little turkey burgers, and punched up their umami flavor with some tomato paste, Parmesan cheese, ground dried porcini mushrooms and Worcestershire sauce.  The patties were moist (we may have had a casualty) but it is worth the trade off.  Topping them with a slice of Parmesan and a roasted broccoli spread punches up the flavor, while raw kale adds a bit of crunch. A food for the ages.

And if you are obsessed with the idea of miniature burgers and need more recipe ideas, Cooking Light has you covered! This slideshow here features all sorts of these mini sandwiches - from Bacon and Cheddar to Beet and Brown Rice! Endless possibilities!

Ingredients
For the turkey patties:
20 ounces ground turkey
1 teaspoon ground dried porcini mushrooms (run the dried mushrooms through a spice grinder)
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 tablespoon Greek yogurt
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
pinch kosher salt
freshly ground black pepper

For the roasted broccoli spread:
3-4 cups broccoli florets
4 garlic cloves
kosher salt
freshly ground black pepper
extra virgin olive oil
drizzle of lemon juice
2 tablespoons Greek yogurt
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon of mango flesh
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon ground pasilla
2 tablespoons chives
1 scallion
cayenne, to taste
kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

For the burgers:
12-14 miniature burger (slider) buns
slices of Parmesan cheese (I like using my y-shaped vegetable peeler for this)
kale leaves (tough stems removed)
cooked turkey patties
roasted broccoli spread

Instructions
To make the turkey patties: In a large bowl, mix together the turkey, ground mushrooms, Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, Greek yogurt, garlic powder, Parmesan, salt, and pepper.  Form the mixture into small patties.  I get 12-14 patties from it.

To make the roasted broccoli spread:  Heat oven to 425.  Spread the florets and garlic on a baking sheet.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper.  Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice.  Roast for 20-30 minutes, until browned.

Remove the broccoli/garlic from pan and place in bowl.  Add the Greek yogurt, olive oil, mango, lemon juice, pasilla, chives, and scallion.  Blend with an immersion blender (or put everything in a food processor to make the spread).  Adjust cayenne, salt, and pepper to taste.

To make the burgers:  Heat canola oil over high heat in a cast iron skillet.  Add the patties.  Brown one side (about 3 minutes or so).  Flip the burgers over and add a Parmesan cheese slice to each.  Keep the heat on high to brown the bottoms.  Cover skillet with a baking sheet or lid and turn the heat to low to finish cooking the turkey and to melt the cheese.  Once the burgers are fully cooked and the cheese has melted, remove from pan.

To assemble the sliders:  Place a piece of kale and a cooked burger patty on each bun.  Spread the roasted broccoli sauce on each before closing.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

20 comments:

  1. I like the sliders idea, but the broccoli spread is very creative!

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  2. I love the idea of this, great use of veggies.

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  3. Food always tastes better if it's tinyified. Fact.

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  4. This is such perfect timing, I have an over abundance of broccoli at home and there are only so many times you can have it roasted. Really love all the combinations that you have going on, but it's this roasted broccoli spread that's calling out to me.

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  5. Love the sound of that roasted broccoli spread! Perfect topping for turkey burgers!

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  6. I know what you mean about the roller coasters! Nowadays when I sat them I'll be cursing and swearing at myself for sitting the rollercoasters... haha. Your turkey sliders look wonderful!

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  7. That spread makes this delicious dish even better :D

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru

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  8. Mini burgers are so yummy, especially with this delicious spread!
    And about getting older- me too, no regrets-every age has its enjoyable sides :)

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  9. I'm becoming more fearful with age - I doubt I'd be able to talk myself into riding Demon Drop (is that what it's still called?). Also, pouting/sulking is no longer acceptable for someone my age - I used to a Jedi master.

    I'm happy you still love miniature food! These sliders look like the perfect late-night snack...as in right now. :D

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  10. Wow! That sounds not just healthy but so so so delicious too.

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  11. I can't stand rollercoasters either, but mini foods? Sounds good to me! THese look like such awesome bites!

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  12. I'm loving these sliders! I'll have to keep my eye out for Pasilla, it's a pepper right?

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  13. You have me at broccoli spread! Those sliders look delish.

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  14. While I was younger I was fearless but now with aging fear has become a feeling that I have more and more. Nevertheless, I wouldn't hesitate one second to try these delicious little sliders!

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  15. I really love everything about this sandwich, but it's that broccoli spread that's calling my name - mostly because I have an overabundance of it at home and need something to do other an roasting it!

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  16. These look awesome! And so healthy too!

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