Cheeseburger in Paradise

After months of serving my twins deconstructed burgers nightly (browned turkey, beef, or chicken mixed with ketchup, shredded cheese, and avocado), I discovered Cheeseburger Cups and they've changed my life in terms of clean up.  My kids gobble them down like a Thanksgiving turkey and I feel satisfied knowing that they're reaping the nutritional benefits of eating meat.  

*Feel free to substitute ground turkey or chicken.  And go for the fattier cuts (like the thigh). Your kids need the fat for brain development.

Cheeseburger Cups:

Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef (I use grass-fed 85% lean, when possible)
1/2 cup ketchup
2 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp prepared mustard
1 1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tube (12 oz) refrigerated buttermilk biscuits
1/2 cup shredded american cheese

In a large skillet, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink; drain.  Stir in the ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce.  Remove from the heat; set aside.

Press each biscuit onto the bottom and up the sides of a greased muffin cup.  Spoon beef mixture into cups; top with shredded cheese.  Bake at 400 for 14-16 minutes or until brown.  Yield: 5 servings

PC and recipe: Taste of Home

Spaghetti Burger

What do you do when you feel like a hearty bowl of spaghetti yet your husband feels like a juicy burger? You combine them (of course) to create a sensational Spaghetti Burger! Thanks Rachael Ray for letting me kill two birds with one stone with this quirky, yet awesome, burger combo. (It's all about the compromise, I tell you).

On the same note, this burger is spicy and the real deal.  I served it with roasted eggplant wedges to keep it balanced.  I'll definitely be making it again and again.

The Recipe:

Ingredients:
1 lb ground beef
1 lb sweet Italian Sausage, casings removed (I used 1/2 lb hot turkey sausage)
2 cups cooked spaghetti, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup plus 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup jarred marinara sauce
4 tsp finely chopped garlic (about 3 cloves)
1 tbsp Cajun seasoning blend
6 tbsp butter, at room temperature
12 slices sourdough (I used sourdough hoagies, scooped out)
**Sky's addition: sliced provolone and extra marinara sauce for topping

Directions:

In a large bowl, combine the beef, sausage, and spaghetti.  Add the parmesan cheese, marinara sauce, 2 tsp garlic and the Cajun seasoning.  Mix well and form into 6 oval-shaped patties.

Preheat the stovetop grill (or grill pan) on medium heat.  In a small bowl, mix the butter and remaining 2 teaspoons garlic.  Spread the butter on both sides of each bread slice and grill until toasted, 1 to 2 minutes per side.  Set aside.  Grill the patties for 6-7 minutes per side.  Top the bread slices with a patty, sliced cheese and a dollop of heated marinara sauce.  Set the remaining bread slices into place.

Serve with roasted eggplant wedges or baked french fries.

Recipe courtesy of Rachael Ray
PC: Rachaelraymag.com