Stan's "Veggie" Burgers

Looking for a more nutritious burger for
your summertime BBQ?  Serve these up.

Now these are not what vegetarians call veggie burgers,

these are what we call "veggie" burgers

or

burgers filled with lots of veggies.

Our friends Stan and Connie invited us over

for an afternoon pool party for about 30.

Stan cooked up the burgers

and everyone brought dishes to pass.

He shared his great recipe with us.

Stan's "Veggie" Burgers

2 lb. ground beef

1/2 C. finely chopped onion

1/2 C. finely chopped red and or yellow bell peppers

1/2 C. finely chopped mushrooms

4 cloves of garlic, finely minced

1 T. soy sauce

1 tsp. Italian seasoning salt (recipe follows)

Mix the ground beef with all of the ingredients and form

into patties. 

Season both sides of the meat with additional 

Italian seasoning salt. 

Place patties in freezer for 15 minutes if desired to chill and

set the meat so it holds together well on the grill.

Grill and serve.

Italian Seasoning Salt

(This is one of those recipes we learned at our

first cooking class in Italy.  It is a great seasoned

salt for just about anything.  Stan and Connie also

have a pizza oven and they went to the cooking

class in Italy too.)

2 C. Kosher salt

1/2  head garlic, peeled and crushed

1/4 C. fresh basil

1/4 C. fresh rosemary

1/4 C. fresh sage

1/8 C. fresh thyme

Chop all of the fresh herbs together very finely.  

Toss the salt with the garlic and herbs and place

on a large baking sheet.  Let set out overnight to

dry.  It might take longer in a humid climate. 

 The salt draws the moisture out of 

the garlic and herbs and the herbs should

be crisp when dried.

Store in a covered container.  If you want

the herbs and garlic smaller, whirl the dried

and finished salt in a blender or food processor.

(This is the salt before it has dried overnight.)

Enjoy this for all kinds of seasoning needs.

These burgers will not only up the nutrition

of your grilled burgers, but will get rave

reviews.

I will be posting this with

Foodie Friday

Seasonal Sunday

Magic Is In The Air - The Return Of The Fairies

Just a little warm weather and

the fairies have moved back

at Purple Chocolat Home.

If you go out early in the morning

and are very very still you might

be able to see them.

They love collecting the dew from

the flowering thyme

and tending their elaborate

houses

and overseeing the herb garden.

This little gentleman 

keeps the pesky snails

under control while

patrolling the entire

garden.

Magic exists everywhere

in the Fairy Garden.

I know they help everything

to grow more beautifully.

But the greatest magic

of all that exists in my fairy garden....

Is seeing the magical twinkle

in the eyes of my grandchildren

as they delight in the fairies.

Two little granddaughters

could not wait to put out

the fairy houses to encourage

the fairies to return!

The magic will be shared

with

Pink Saturday

Seasonal Sunday

Outdoor Wednesday

Wow Us Wednesday

Open House Party

Oops, I forgot to mention

that the fairy houses are

built by Home Goods/TJ Maxx

and garden shops,

and the fairies hail from boutiques,

garden shops and the first one with

the cute stockings was from Wal Mart

years ago.

Southwest Lettuce Wraps

This is  a great summer salad that I found

in A Taste Of Home Magazine and wanted

to try.

The flavors of  the Southwest combine in a

fresh tasting lettuce wrap for a light

summer lunch or supper.

Grilled chicken, grilled corn,  tomatoes, black beans,

 avocadoes, green chilis,  lime and cilantro

are mixed and chilled together, then served

in a lettuce leaf (or a tortilla for those who

want a heartier meal.)

I was even able to pick the cilantro fresh from the

garden (it won't last long now with the heat).

Southwest Lettuce Wraps

3 C. grilled chicken, cut into bite-size pieces

2 ears fresh corn, steamed then grilled (or use

frozen)

1 - 16 oz. can black beans, drained and rinsed

2 medium Roma tomatoes, chopped

1/2  red or orange bell pepper, chopped

1 avocado, cubed

1/4 C. chopped cilantro

1/2 C. salsa

2 T. fresh lime juice

1/2 tsp. cumin powder

1/2 tsp. garlic salt

sour cream

cilantro

mild pickled jalapenos

Mix the chicken, corn, beans, tomatoes, pepper,

avocado and cilantro gently

in a medium size glass bowl.  St,ir in the salsa, lime,

cumin and salt.

Place in the fridge and let chill for 2 hours.  

Wash Boston Bibb lettuce (or you can use

leaf  or Romaine lettuce).  Drain and place

in fridge for 1/2 hour to crisp.

Serve the chicken mix in a lettuce leaf

and top with sour cream, cilantro and

jalapeno slices if desired.

This was such a fun summer supper.  The whole

family loves lettuce wraps.  We served whole grain

tortillas as a side dish and many tried the chicken mix

in the tortilla too, but no one could say which was

their favorite.  

Give this one a try.

I will be posting this with 

On The Menu Monday

Foodie Friday

Purple Bling Bling Wedding Cake

June is filled with weddings.  How

wonderful to be able to celebrate with

these wonderful young couples

as they start their journey in life

together.

I entered this wedding reception for my

great friend's daughter Sarah and her

husband Tyson, and my attention 

immediately went to the most beautiful 

cake I think I have ever seen.  

It certainly screams 

Purple Chocolat Home

to me, does it to you?

This looked like some high fashion

dress with its pleats and brooches and

diamond studding.

It was so beautiful.  I told my husband I

want to order this gorgeous cake for my

next significant birthday!

Her colors were dark purple and green with

touches of bright pink.

The cake was made by

  Cakes By Dawna,

a Salt Lake City based wedding cake boutique.

It was held at a beautiful garden center in

their glass greenhouse.  

My friend Holly did the flowers and

they were gorgeous as always.

I love the look of submerged orchids.  We had

3 vases of full stems of orchids submerged

in water at my sons wedding reception.  It

is such a great look.

The cake was showcased in a central gazebo

inside the beautiful greenhouse.

It is finally time to cut the cake and

have a little fun.

Sarah was just gorgeous.

What a lovely reception Barb.

I will be posting this with

Pink Saturday

(I know this was mostly purple, BUT there were

dashes of pink and purple is a sister color to pink!)

Seasonal Sundays

Summer Blossoms Tablescape

Summery blooms filled

 my table today.

Each plate filled with movement

and life, one delicate and pink,

one gorgeously green.

Summer's blossoms are

so short lived.

But oh, the joy they bring.

Feathery and fragile

Grand and majestic

Intricate and delicate

Gathered from nature

Is summer so special because is

comes and goes?

Enjoy a few more

peeks.....

What beauty and awe is inspired 

by the color and

variety of flowers

that God has created.

Oh, the joy of summer,

the joy of flowers,

the joy of sunshine.

"The flower offered of itself

and eloquently spoke

Of Gods

In languages of rainbows

Perfumes

And secret silence..."

Phillip Pulfrey

I will be posting this with

Tablescapes Thursday

Pink Saturday

Plates - Tai Pan

Green goblets - Tai Pan

Placemats - Home Goods

Pink water glasses - Home Goods

Green napkins - Home Goods

Napkin rings - Handmade

Pink flatware - Pier I (years ago)

Floral - Sarah's wedding arrangement by Holly