en plein air

this past saturday, we had the pleasure of enjoying a wholly organic meal, thanks to miss lanier. (lanier, get a blog already so i can link back to you!)

she invited us over for zucchini and goat cheese whole wheat pizza, turkey and muenster burgers with a side of succotash! sure, a bottle of prosecco accompanied it all, but that's ok on a beautiful summer evening. :) balance....right?

i do not have the recipe for the succotash but it was wonderfully fresh and tasty! lanier hit up the local farmers market and purchased organic succotash, green beans, corn, green and red peppers, jalapeños, tomatoes, parsley and basil!







The Turkey Burger Recipe:
1 1/2 lbs. ground turkey (preferably 93 percent lean)
1/2 C. finely grated Gruyere cheese
4 scallions, thinly sliced (I used chives -- which are essentially the same and easier to find)
1/4 C. dried breadcrumbs
1/4 C. Dijon mustard
1 garlic clove, minced (I used far more than one clove. Hee hee.)
Coarse salt and fresh ground pepper
Vegetable oil, for grates
4 hamburger buns (I like wheat buns or organic if you can find them!)

1. Heat the grill to high. In a medium bowl, use a fork to gently combine the turkey with the Gruyere, scallions, breadcrumbs, Dijon mustard, and garlic; season generously with salt and pepper. Dividing the mixture evenly, gently form the mixture into four 1-inch-thick patties. (Mom: this is why you've had a little trouble grilling with ground turkey. You need to do everything gently and not overmix/overwork in your hands.)

2. Lightly oil the grill. Place the patties on the hottest part of the grill; sear until browned, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Move the patties to the cooler part of the grill; continue grilling until cooked through, 5 to 10 minutes per side.

3. Toast buns!

4. Lanier's addition: I grilled onions alongside the burgers for the last 2 minutes or so. I also served sliced avocados to place on top of the burger. Once the burgers were done, even though they have cheese inside the patties, I shaved a few additional bits of gruyere on top (it is the single best melting cheese you can use -- it is perfect.)

Enjoy!!!







then! THEN! (this is a bit backwards because i'm announcing the appetizer last, but, wow, it was SPECTACULAR! so different and astounding!) i must comment on the Lemony Zucchini and Squash Goat Cheese Pizza! Here is the recipe! I WILL be making this myself soon!



Isaac certainly enjoys his dinner best en plein air!



all of the parts of this meal were simple normal recipes, converted to organic! and i must say -- lanier did a fabulous job! There's something about a breezy summer evening, eating with friends. i wish i could do it every day!