Well-Done Hamburgers

I have been trying different ways to have well-done, yet juicy hamburgers.  I think I have finally figured it out.  Try it you will like it!

Ingredients

2 lbs hamburger (80/20 works well)

1 hamburger bun

2 tbs milk

1 tbs steak sauce

2 cloves garlic; minced

1 tsp salt

1 tsp pepper

1 tbs Worcestershire sauce

Directions

1. Preheat grill on high.
2. Break up hamburger bun into food processor.  Process for about 1 minute.
3. Add bun crumbs to large mixing bowl and add milk.  Mash with a fork until combined.
4. Add steak sauce, Worcestershire sauce and garlic.  Stir to combine.
5. Break up hamburger and add to mixture in bowl.  Use hands and combine.  Be careful not to over-mix.  Add salt and pepper.
6. Use large lid (such as a mayonnaise jar) lined with plastic wrap and add hamburger pushing down to form about 7-8 patties.
7. Cook on hot grill for about 5 minutes per side.
8. Remove from grill and serve with your favorite toppings.

Bran Muffins

Bran Muffins


These muffins are a hit at our house.  We like to make them on Sundays and then eat them throughout the week.  The best part about these muffins is they aren't dry like most bran muffins.  This recipe has been tweaked over the years and was originally based on the "America's Test Kitchen" Better Bran Muffin Recipe.

Ingredients


1 cup craisins
1/4 cup raisins
1 tsp water
3 tbsp molasses
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup packed light brown sugar
2 eggs
2 cups plain yogurt
6 tbsp melted butter, cooled to room temp
1/2 tsp salt
2 1/2 cups All-Bran cereal
1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
2 tsp baking soda
Sugar in the raw for sprinkling on top of muffins


Directions


1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees (380 degrees if using convection)
2. Plump raisins/craisins by putting in a bowl with the water and covering with plastic wrap. Cook in microwave for 30 sec and then let sit while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.
3. Add the flours together in a large mixing bowl along with the salt and baking soda and whisk to combine.
4. Add eggs to another large mixing bowl and beat until combined (about 20 sec). Add molasses, sugar, and vanilla and whisk to combine. Add cooled melted butter and yogurt. Stir to combine.
5. Process half of the cereal in food processer for 1 minute. Add processed and unprocessed cereal to egg/yogurt mixture and let sit for 5 min.
6. Add wet mixture to dry mixture and carefully combine with spatula. Avoid overmixing. Fold in raisins/craisins.
7. Spray a standard sized muffin pan with cooking spray. Using a 1/3 cup fill muffin cups. Sprinkle with sugar in the raw on top of each muffin.
8. Bake for 16 min (14 min if using convection). Remove and let cool in pan for 5 minutes, then remove muffins and place on cooling rack.

Asian BBQ Chicken

Asian BBQ Chicken

This recipe is one that everyone loves.  I get requests to make it often.  It is really easy!  If you don't like Asian BBQ you can substitute the sauce with your favorite BBQ sauce!

Ingredients

2 lbs of chicken legs or wings (bone in and skin on)

salt and pepper

Sauce

1/4 cup sriracha (asian hot sauce found in the asian aisle, see picture)
1/2 cup oyster sauce (found in asian aisle, see picture)

Directions

1. Preheat grill for at least 15 min (if using a gas grill)
2. Season chicken heavily with salt and pepper
3. Place on grill and grill each side about 20 min
4. After cooking brush each piece of chicken with sauce

Easy Guacamole

I love to make guacamole.  I used to chop onions, cilantro, peppers, tomatoes, etc.  Call me lazy but I don't do any of that anymore.  I use this easy recipe and acutally like it better this way!

Easy Guacamole

Ingredients

1 ripe avacado
3/4 cup salsa or pico de gallo
salt

Directions

1. Slice avacado in half and remove pit.
2. Gently slice avacado vertically and horizontally while still in skin but not cutting through the skin.
3. Gently remove avacado halves into a bowl and mash.
4. Add salsa and stir.  Add salt to taste.

Easy Chicken and Rice

This is a recipe my mom used to make.  I think you will like it!  I don't think there is an easier recipe out there for yummy chicken and rice!

Chicken and Rice

Ingredients

• 2 cans mushroom soup
• 1 cup water
• 1 1/3 cups uncooked rice
• 1 envelope onion soup mix
• 4-5 boneless chicken breasts

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Get a 9  x 13 inch baking dish.  Combine and place the water, soup, and rice in the baking dish.
3. Place the chicken breasts on top of rice mixture
4. Sprinkle the envelope of onion soup mix over the chicken.
5. Seal the dish tightly with aluminum foil.
6. Bake for 1 1/2 -2 hrs.

Healthy Asparagus

Healthy Asparagus



I love asparagus. I used to like to grill it; however, I now like to healthy sauté it instead. This technique can be done with any vegetable.

Ingredients
4 TBS water
1 lb asparagus
2 TBS olive oil
Lemon juice
Salt and Pepper

Directions

1. Heat a skillet (one that has a lid) on medium heat until hot.
2. Add asparagus and water and put lid on.
3. Cook for 6 min.
4. Remove lid and keep on heat until water evaporates.
5. Remove from heat.
6. Add olive oil and toss to coat, then squeeze lemon juice over asparagus (if desired) and a big pinch of salt and pepper.

7-Up Cake

I really like 7-Up cake.  I first tried this in San Leandro, CA.  It was brought in to me by one of my patients as a thank you.

7-Up Cake Recipe 

Ingredients

3/4 lb. butter, softened

3 cups sugar

5 eggs

3 cups flour

2 tablespoons lemon extract

3/4 cup 7-Up soft drink

Lemon Glaze (If you really like glaze, double the glaze recipe)

2/3 cup powdered sugar

1 tablespoon lemon juice

Directions

1. In a standing mixer, cream butter and sugar together for 20 minutes.
2. Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition.  Add flour and lemon extract.  Fold in 7-Up. 
3. Pour into a well-greased 12-cup bundt pan or tube pan.  Bake for 1 to 1 1/4 hours at 325 degrees
4. To make Lemon Glaze:  Mix powdered sugar and lemon juice together.    When cake is cooled, dribble with Lemon Glaze.