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Turkey Burgers With Lemon Basil Aioli

Here's how you make Turkey Burgers With Lemon Basil Aioli
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  • Servings: 6-8
  • Prep: 20m
  • Cook: 15-25m
  • The following recipe serves 6-8 people.

Ingredients

The ingredients are:
  • 1/2 pound Swiss chard (rainbow Swiss chard, about 1 small bunch to equal 6-8 leaves, fewer if they are really large, weight is a guestimate). CAN USE OTHER GREENS (Refer to NOTE)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (extra virgin)
  • 1 onion, minced (medium onion)
  • 8-10 cloves garlic, minced or run through a garlic press, divided
  • 1/4 - 1/2 to1 teaspoon Kosher salt
  • 1/2 - 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 1/2 pounds ground turkey
  • 1 bunch chives (or scallions), minced (small bunch)
  • 1 bunch basil, chopped (small bunch)
  • 3-4 tablespoons parsley or cilantro, chopped (stems and all, except make sure to chop the stems finely)
  • 4 ounces crumbled Feta cheese (imported preferred)
  • 3-4 ounces parmesan cheese, freshly grated
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (fine, dry bread)
  • 1 - 2 teaspoons Montreal seasoning, to taste and coat burgers (amount is a guestimate, basically to sprinkle over formed burgers)
  • FOR AIOLI & SERVING
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise, preferably Hellman's brand or homemade
  • 1/4 cup Greek plain yogurt
  • 1-2 cloves garlic, grated finely
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • 1 1/2 - 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • Sugar, pinch of
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper,to taste
  • 6 (13 ounces) English muffins (split, 6 English muffins in total) or burger buns (can even wrap it around a big lettuce leaf if you want to save some calories)
  • 1 cup baby arugula leaves
We recommend you get your ingredients ready before you start cooking. Once you're ready, here are the steps to making this delicious recipe

How to Make

  • Step 1: Strip the leaves from the stalks of the chard and chop; set aside. Mince the stalks finely; set aside. (if using leeks, chop finely, refer to NOTE and set aside). Heat the olive oil in a large skillet and add the onion, 4-5 cloves of minced garlic, and minced chard stalks (or chopped leeks). Sauté until lightly browned and fragrant, about 2-3 minutes. Add the chopped chard leaves and add to the skillet to wilt, then season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside to cool.

  • Step 2: When the vegetables have cooled, combine them in a bowl with the ground turkey, (add chopped fresh arugula, if using), remaining garlic, chives (or scallions), basil, parsley or cilantro, feta, Parmesan, beaten eggs, bread crumbs, salt and black pepper to taste. Using your hands, mix to incorporate and then form into 6 patties. Sprinkle both sides with Montreal Seasoning, to taste. Set aside in the fridge to rest at least one hour or up to one day.

  • Step 3: When ready to cook, preheat a grill or cast iron skillet. To make the aïoli, stir the garlic, basil, sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt and pepper into the mayonnaise and yogurt. Toast the English muffins or burger buns (if you want to toast the buns) and spread each cut side with some of the aioli.

  • Step 4: Grill or pan-fry the burgers until cooked through, about 3-5 minutes per side. Place each burger on a bottom bun and top with a handful of arugula and the top bun. Serve immediately.

  • NOTE: Instead of chard, I have also used finely chopped leeks, mostly the green part (half of a large leek, chopped fine in a food processor). In addition, fresh arugula (chopped) can also be used which provides great flavor to the end product, except if using arugula, chop it well and don't saute it, add it raw to the meat.


We hope you enjoy this recipe!

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