Monday’s Bread Bowl: Spicy Turkey Sliders

A meaty fix from the Mediterranean
Spring is here, and we're thinking warm thoughts that give us a craving for Mediterranean flavors. The Mixed Stew sampled turkey sliders seasoned with basil and feta cheese on a recent trip to Whole Foods. We liked them so much that we’re passing along our own version. The unique flavor of the cheese and flavor of fresh basil combine with the taste of grilled ground turkey. We also spiked the meat with a little paprika to give the burgers a kick. Serve them on Naan or Pita bread to keep the regional theme going. Remember that flat breads are more wholesome than yeast breads. Have condiments (ketchup, mustard,or mayo,…etc.) on the side if serving to guests. Or how about some tzatziki sauce for your mini-burgers? Here is our recipe:

What you will need:

1 wooden spoon
1 medium-sized bowl
1 frying pan or cast-iron skillet
1 spatula
1 egg, beaten
Non-stick cooking spray
1-2lbs ground turkey, thawed
¼ cup, chopped fresh basil
¼ cup, chopped feta cheese
1 teaspoon paprika
1-2 garlic cloves, minced
½ small yellow onion, minced
A small handful (3-4 pieces) of finely, crushed saltine crackers
Pinch of salt and pepper

Cooking and Directions:

Meat Patties
Clean your hands and use to combine ground turkey, basil, egg, onion, garlic, and feta in bowl. Mix well. Add crushed crackers, paprika, salt, and pepper. Continue to mix well. Form 6-8 mini-patties (roughly ½-inch thick and 3 inches in diameter). Set aside. Coat bottom of frying pan with non-stick cooking spray. Heat frying pan on medium-high heat. Place patties in heated pan. Space them out. Let meat cook for 5-8 minutes on each side. Remove from heat and set aside so the burgers can rest a minute or two.
Naan
Cut wedges to convenient size to hold cooked turkey burgers. Warm up pieces in microwave or toaster oven.