Happy 4th of July

Today is one of my favorite holidays of the year, with a simple reason why....BBQ FOOD.

I am a sucker for good burgers, dips, and salads. So whether you are a fabulous celebrity on a yacht  in San Tropez, or hanging with the cast of Jersey Shore at the beach, I have some foods that will spice up any BBQ.

Hotter Than Hell Guac

You will need:
2 ripe avocados
1 cup chopped tomatoes (with the seeds and juicy parts taken out)
1/2 cup chopped red onion
fresh cilantro to taste
1-2 fresh Serrano peppers (seeded and finely chopped **remember, spicy peppers hold A LOT of heat in the seeds, so make sure they are gone)
salt to taste
1 tbsp lemon juice

Half and pit the avocados. With a spoon, scoop out the meat from the shell. Place the avocado in a bowl and mash with a fork to create a lumpy texture. Add in lemon juice and salt.
In a food processor, combined the chopped tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and peppers. Process until the mixture is a texture you prefer. Combined the mixture with the avocado and enjoy! Serve with tortilla chips. I like Blue Corn Tortilla Chips.

Where's the beef? Turkey Burgers


You will need:
1 pound of lean ground turkey
1 tbsp garlic powder
1 red onion finely chopped
1/4 cup of Worcestershire Sauce
1 zucchini (chopped into small pieces)
1 cup shredded carrots
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
4 chunks sharp cheddar cheese

Your about to get messy!
In a bowl, mix all ingredients with the turkey. Use your hands to incorporate ingredients until evenly distributed.

Divide the meat into 4 sections, to make 4 burgers. Take one chunk of the sharp cheddar, and the first portion of meat. Stick the cheese in the middle of the meat, and build the patty around it. Once the patty is formed, you shouldn't be able to see any of the cheese.

Place on a grill or over medium heat in a skillet until cooked all the way through. Make sure the burgers are fully done. Nobody should be eating rare turkey meat!

After the burgers are finished, place them on a toasted whole wheat bun with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and the awesome spicy guac listed above! After eating these, you won't be saying, "Where's the beef?"

My favorite part of the burger? When you bite in, the cheddar oozes out for the ultimate cheesy surprise.

You will be the celebrity of your BBQ when your guests taste these awesome dishes!

Have a safe and happy 4th!



Photos courtesy of:
myrecipes.com
opensourcefood.com
recadosdaweb.com