Tuesday, March 31, 2020

Jaki Jean on Orgasmic Turkey Burgers . . .




As my friends & family know, there is always a story.  And this recipe is no exception.

For decades now, I have preferred turkey burgers to beef.  At first it was a health related decision – I cut down on beef because of my cholesterol & high blood pressure.

Over time, I simply came to like them better.  I never tried to make them at home but always ordered turkey or garden burgers when it was an alternative on the menu.

And then one afternoon, back in the days when the Oprah show was still on the air, she featured a chef who had created the best turkey burger she had ever tasted.

Here is the part of the story that is difficult for my liberal self to admit:

The original recipe was created by the then chef at Mar-a-Largo.

In my defense, I was not crossing party lines – back then Trump was a Democrat.

Of course, I have rewritten the original recipe.  It is no doubt the writer in me – taking threads from other texts & weaving the threads into something my own.

Sometimes I add oregano or marjoram into the turkey meat.  Sometimes I add a bit more chutney or adobo sauce.  Sometimes I throw diced garlic in with the scallions & apples.  

It is a recipe designed to make your own.

Here on Dorrance Lane, we add sliced red onion, white cheddar cheese, a tomato slice, fresh spinach.  When available, we use Oroweat Onion rolls.  Our alternative is whole wheat hamburger buns.

Several years ago, during a visit to my friend Michael’s beach house near San Luis Pass, we made the turkey burgers for a party. 

And added grilled pineapple slices &  jalapeños to the tray of burger building items.

I first had grilled pineapple &  jalapeños on a turkey burger at a restaurant located across from the sea wall in Galveston.

At the time, I was working on a offshore rig refurbishment project & the rig was berthed in the Gulf Copper Shipyards.  Two of my favorite members of the refurbishment team, Peggy & Phil Linton, convinced me to add the grilled pineapple & jalapeños to my turkey burger.


My culinary concept of turkey burgers was forever changed.

Since then, I have discovered that rajas – grilled strips of poblano peppers is far superior to the jalapeños.

So, my dear friend Nita, I hope you & Brian will try this recipe & make it your own. 


Orgasmic Turkey Burgers
Ingredients


  •   Chopped green onions
  •   1 granny smith apple, diced
  •   Olive oil
  • · 1 pound ground turkey breast This makes six patties, but we make                                    patties thinner that most folks.
  •   Salt & Pepper
  •   Dollop adobe sauce or to taste (For extra spicy soak an Ancho Chile & puree)
  •   1/2 lemon, juice and grated zest
  •   1/4 cup Major Grey's Chutney or Hot Mango Chutney, pureed
How to make it


  1. Sauté the scallions & apples in olive oil until soft.
  2. Place the ground turkey in a large mixing bowl. Add sautéed items and the remaining ingredients. Use bread crumbs to firm up the patties if necessary.  Shape into  burgers.  Refrigerate for 2 hours.  Overnight really works well.
  3. Season the turkey burgers with salt and pepper. Place on a preheated, lightly oiled grill. Grill each side for 7 minutes until meat is thoroughly cooked. Let sit for 5 minutes.
We are sans an outdoor grill – so I use a greased iron grill under the broiler.

Monday, March 23, 2020

OMG - Denial of the Threat of COVID-19






Oh my goddess, I have now read two posts shared by a former co-worker echoing  the stance that COVID-19 is not serious, but amplified by the media.

One shared post intimated that this will pass – Remember smallpox?

Actually, I am old enough to remember smallpox.  I remember lining up in the school cafeteria to receive a vaccine against smallpox.  And lining up again to suck on the sugar cube containing the polio vaccine.

Although smallpox has been virtually eradicated, its eradication did not happen in a few months & disappear with warm weather.

Smallpox was around a long time before a vaccine eradicated it.

Evidence of smallpox has been found in Egyptian mummies from the 3rd century BC.

In 18th century Europe, 400,000 people per year died from smallpox.  Among the survivors, 1/3 were left blind.

In the 20th century, 300 million people died from smallpox. 

The move to inoculate populations against smallpox can be traced to 10th century China.

Ironic, since our stable genius leader blames China for COVID-19
.
My point is this:  it took thousands of years to finally develop a
vaccine that would effectively eradicate smallpox.  

We should all remember smallpox.
.
Like smallpox, COVID-19 is not going to go away easily.  The U.S. is behind in recognizing & reacting to its threat. 

The U.S. is lagging behind power house nations like South Korea in testing & working on a vaccine.

So, I have a decision.  I am fond of the former co-worker who shared two insane & dismissive posts about the threat of COVID-19.  

I do not block or unfriend casually.

But there is some shit I cannot dismiss.