I'VE GOT SOMETHING "COOKIN" UP MY SLEEVE!

It's been in the works for a while and it is going to start this weekend, and it involves "cookin"/bakin"....

The photo is a hint, stay tuned..anyone care to guess what it is?

TURKEY CACCIATORE BURGERS ON PORTOBELLO BUNS

This is not your average boring turkey burger...it's moist, flavorful,full of veggies, less fat and less guilt!

1-1/3 pound ground turkey meat
6 crimini mushrooms (stems removed and finely chopped)
1/2 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1/2 yellow onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic
1 T. Worcestershire sauce
3 T. tomato paste
1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
Handful flat-leafed parsley, chopped
4 large portobello mushrooms, stems removed
Extra virgin olive oil for drizzling
Salt and Pepper
Red pepper flakes
2 cups arugula leaves (optional)
1/2 pound mozzarella (sliced thin)
Sliced red onions and tomatoes


Combine meat with salt, pepper, chopped criminis, bell pepper, onion, garlic, tomato paste, Worcestershire, crushed red pepper flakes. cheese and parsley. Form meat into 4 large patties and drizzle with olive oil. Grill 5 to 6 minutes on each side in hot skillet.

Heat oven to 450 degrees -
Place portobello caps on baking sheet, gill side up and drizzle with olive oil Roast caps for 12 minutes. Remove from oven and season with salt and pepper.

Top each cap with 1/2 cup arugula and burger. Cap burgers with sliced mozzarella, and melt in still warm oven. Finish with sliced onions and tomatoes.

No need for Catsup and mustard on these babies...

Courtesy of Rachael Ray!

QUINOA & CORN SALAD WITH TOASTED PUMPKIN SEEDS

As much as I love Italian food, I am really trying to eat healthier in 2010...Can't you tell by the pizzas, pot pies and cakes I have been making lately? Never mind the 1/4 pan of Nutella Brownies I ate on Sunday!

After seeing the movie "FOOD INC" which really enlightens us on how food is REALLY produced in this country, my thoughts have turned to eating chicken that gets to run around a farm, instead of being locked in the dark with thousands of other chickens with nowhere to go, and eating whole grains with more vegetables and LESS cheese!

Quinoa (Keen-Wah) is a gluten free seed that is derived from the goosefoot plant. It originates in the high Andes of South America, and has been a staple of the people for thousands of years. It is considered a complete protein and is easy to cook.

I found this recipe on Martha Stewart's Whole Living website, and decided this was a healthy alternative to baked ziti!

Sorry, my copy and paste is not working, and I am too tired to type the recipe!

Has anyone ever tried a quinoa recipe before?