Really Good Sloppy Joes

Prep Time:  1 hour

2 Tbsp. oil
2 medium onions, diced
2 red or yellow bell peppers, diced
8 cloves garlic, minced
2 large celery stalks, diced
1 tsp. dried thyme
salt and pepper to taste
2 lbs. ground turkey
1 cup Chili sauce
1 cup water
6 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
12 split and toasted buns

Heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet and add the onion, bell peppers, garlic, celery, thyme, and salt and pepper.  Cook until the onion is softened, but not browned (about 10 minutes.)  Transfer the onion mixture to a plate.  Add to the skillet the ground turkey and cook until no pink remains.  Drain the fat, and the onion mixture back into the skillet along with the Chili sauce, water, and Worcestershire sauce.  Partially cover and simmer, stirring occasionally until the flavors and blended and the sauce is slightly thickened, about 15 minutes.  Spoon onto the buns and serve.

Makes 12 sandwiches

(This recipe is from the Joy of Cooking.  I use ground turkey rather than ground beef chuck, which is what their recipe calls for.  My whole family LOVES these.  You will never be able to buy a can of "Manwich" sloppy joe sauce after this!)

Lime and Basil Turkey Burgers

Prep Time:  40 minutes

2 lbs. ground turkey (or chicken)
3/4 cup bread crumbs
6 green onions, white and light green parts only, minced
3 Tbsp. finely chopped fresh basil, or 1 1/2 Tbsp. dried basil
3 Tbsp. fresh lime juice
1 1/2 Tbsp. soy sauce
1 Tbsp. minced garlic
1/4 + 1/8 tsp. (so just under a half tsp.) chile powder
1/4 + 1/8 tsp. salt
1/4 + 1/8 tsp. pepper

1.  Heat grill to Medium heat (350 - 450 degrees.)

2.  In a large bowl, mix the ingredients.  Shape the mixture into 8 equal sized balls.  Press them to the size you desire your burgers to be. 

3.  Brush both sides of the burgers with olive oil and grill for about 5 - 7 minutes, or until cooked through (I slice a burger in half to make sure the burgers are cooked.)

4.  Place on a bun with tomatoes and spinach and serve with raw vegetables.

Makes 8 Burgers

(I have taken this recipe from Weber's Real Grilling.  This recipe is found on p. 210 in the book and has a delicious Creamy Cucumber Relish that you can serve with the burgers.  Weber's suggested serving method with the burgers and relish is without a bun, so I usually make a muffin or biscuit to accompany the meal when I follow their serving suggestion.  Tonight I was looking for an easy dinner though, so I served my burgers on a bun and opted not to make the relish.  Maybe I'll repost this recipe on another night when I make the burgers with the relish.)  :)