Quick and Delicious Summer Dinner: Spiced Turkey Burgers and Cucumber Tomato Salad

Tonight was a beautiful night for grilling, so I whipped up these fast, flavorful turkey burgers with sweet and tangy toppings and paired them with a cool summer salad.

Indian Spiced Turkey Burgers

1 lb. ground organic turkey

1 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. ground pepper

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

1/2 tsp. onion powder

1/4 garam masala

1/4 cup your favorite brand mango chutney

1/4 cup fresh chopped cilantro (optional)

Mix all ingredients together until well combined. Refrigerate 30 min - 24 hrs. (best done ahead so the flavors develop). Form into patties and grill outdoors or indoors on a grill pan until cooked through. Top with vidalia onion marmalade, chutney mayo spread, or ketchup. I like to put these on soft potato or challah buns. 

Vidalia Onion Marmalade (Confit)

3 large vidalia onions, sliced thin

1/2 cup dry red wine

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar (good quality)

1/4 cup light or dark brown sugar

1/8 tsp. ground cardamom

1/8 tsp. ground coriander

1/8 tsp. salt or to taste

1 tbs. olive oil for sauteing

In a saucepan or pot, saute onions with salt and spices until they begin to caramelize - about 10 minutes. Add the wine, vinegar, and sugar. Cook, stirring often, for about 20 minutes until liquid is condensed and the mixture has the consistency of a marmalade. Let cool and store in a glass jar. Can be made ahead and kept for up to two weeks.

Mango Chutney Mayonnaise Spread

1/2 cup organic mayo

2 tbs. mango chutney

Pinch of garlic powder

Pinch of onion powder

Pinch of curry powder 

Combine all ingredients until well blended. Use on your burger buns or even as a vegetable dip.

Cucumber Tomato and Feta Salad

1 medium sized English (seedless) organic cucumber

1/2 pint or 1 cup assorted cherry tomatoes (I used heirloom multi-colored cherry tomatoes I found at Trader Joes) sliced in half

1/2 cup ricotta salata cheese, cubed

4-5 fresh basil leaves, chiffonade

Salt and fresh ground pepper to taste

1-2 tbs. good extra virgin olive oil

Combine all ingredients until evenly mixed. Serve instead of a salad or on top of mixed greens.