Remember me?
Let me remind you. I used to tempt your taste buds with things like this, this, and these?
Well, I’m back!
But probably not for long. I’ve been busy.
Like, super-duper-don’t-have-time-for-anything-but-work-sleep-and-maybe-the-occasional-cupcake-busy.
And now that it’s officially beach season (I have a hell of a sunburn to prove it!) I’m even more busy, because getting my tan on > blogging. Sorry, folks. I’m nothing if not honest.
And… did you know it’s wedding season?
No?
Well it is. I’m like a professional guest already.
Oh and I’m also trying to plan a wedding. Remember?
Shocking, but yes, we’re still engaged. Lloyd hasn’t left me. Yet. There’s still 13 months.
And the good news? We set a date!
That’s right!
On July 7, 2012, I will gain the best health insurance I’ve ever had. And it even comes with a husband.
I stole my best friend and Maid of Honor’s birthday as my wedding date. She’s good at sharing.
Plus, the Bruins are going to the Stanley Cup. I’ve been glued to the TV watching those hockey games.
Not.
But that’s where Lloyd’s been.
In between “mom-dancing” at weddings (guilty!), perfecting the art of keeping track of which gifts were given and by whom at showers, dancing with stuffed cats at rehearsal dinners, and quenching my thirst by demanding another “Skinny Bitch” from every bartender in New England, we’ve managed to nail down our venue, as well as check off some other important details like a photographer and DJ. After drawing oh-so-satisfying line through those items on our wedding list, I moved on to the next most important thing: the cake.
I emailed each of the vendors that we can use to have our cake made and pitched the idea begged that someone make me an ice cream cake. I mean, it’s New England in July. Ice cream sounds refreshing. Ice cream also sounds refreshing to me in December. Perhaps I haven’t declared my love for all things creamy and frozen on this blog yet, but that’s only because I do not own an ice cream maker. That’s what wedding registries are for. But I digress.
I also realized I’m pretty much asking for a puddle in the middle of our dance floor. And we can’t have that.
I am way too clumsy. I’d obviously trip.
And then there is the whole, “oops, your cake melted” thing.
Not surprisingly, none of the vendors were willing to make one. But they all boasted the best damn buttercream frosting I’ve ever tasted. Back to the drawing board.
So here I am, 3 weddings under my belt and a handful of showers attended and it’s not even June. We’re not even close to done. No, kids. I’ve got bachelorette parties to attend with mottos like, “what happens in Maine stays in Maine.” I’ve got secret errands to run that I can’t mention here because the recipients of said errands read the blog. Ugh, I’m so not good with secrets. I’m scrambling to get together with friends to beg them to be my bridesmaids. It’s hard to tell if these gals are flattered and excited or secretly seeing dollar signs every time they blink. And I haven’t even reached my Bridezilla stage yet. Wait for it.
So where are the cupcakes you ask?! (You sound like my co-workers!)
No chicken recipes?!
What in God’s name is Lloyd eating?!
A lot of McDonald’s. Lots of pizza. Peanut butter and jelly that he makes for himself.
I know. It pains me. I love this blog. I love to cook and bake. I love to cook and bake and then blog about it. I love to share Lloyd stories. (And there are many!) But sometimes life happens. I promised myself I would only blog when I wanted to and I would never let my blogging interfere with my time with family and friends. I am proud to say that I have done just that. I’m not complaining in the least. I love my life and I enjoy doing all these things for and with the people I love. I’m simply giving you the specifics of why I haven’t been serving up cookies left and right.
So while I may not be posting as frequently as you (or I!) would like, I’m still here. It’s just that I’m buried under a million bridesmaid dresses (mostly in shades of purple) and finding bobby pins in my hair from 2 weeks ago’s updo. And when I’m not doing that, I’m heckling invitation designers on Etsy or trying to convince Lloyd that bow-ties would be so adorable on his groomsmen. Note to brides: that’s apparently not what your 36-year-old groom wants to hear. Learn from me.
I made these burgers not once, but twice within a week- that’s how delicious they were! That and the fact that I was completely dissatisfied with the way the pictures came out the first time. Control freak? Who me?! But mostly because they were delicious. I was on a Greek kick. Remember this beautiful, fluffy couscous? These burgers were supposed to be a follow-up for “Greek Week” on BITNB but then I was without my trusty laptop, which got infected with 837 viruses. Lucky for you, my laptop is fixed and I have access to this mouth-watering recipe once again.
Get ready to drool.
Greek Turkey Sliders
Serves 4
Adapted from Bakin’ and Eggs via Eat, Live, Run
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1 egg, slightly beaten
- 1 cup baby spinach, chopped
- 1/4 cup sundried tomatoes, chopped
- 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley (or 1 -2 tablespoons fresh)
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano (or 1 tablespoon fresh)
- 1/2 teaspoon minced onion
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1/3 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- freshly ground pepper
Directions
-
In a large bowl, combine all of the burger ingredients and mix well. Form into small patties. (I used a 1/4 C measuring spoon to make them uniform).
-
Cook patties on skillet or grill. (I used my Cuisinart Griddler.)
-
Serve on buns of choice.
Greek-Style Green Beans
Serves 4
Inspired by this recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup white onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 lb green beans, rinsed and trimmed
- 1 can tomatoes, diced
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 6 tbsp lemon juice
- sprinkle of oregano
- sprinkle of parsley
- sprinkle of basil
- 1 bay leaf
- salt and pepper, to taste
Directions
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir the onions and garlic in the skillet until tender.
- Mix the green beans, tomatoes, sugar, and salt into the skillet. Reduce heat to low, and continue cooking 45 minutes, or until beans are soft.
My pictures are crummy, but don’t let that deter you from trying this Greek feast! Laden with feta and spices, these Mediterranean delights replace your greasy summer staple with good-for-you burgers bursting with fresh flavors. Talk about a dish that pops! The combination of the herbs, sweet sundried tomatoes, and tangy feta take these sliders over the top. You can adjust these to your liking: add some olives or capers to the mix, or top with hummus or Tzatziki sauce if that’s your thing.
And on the side? Plain green beans get a makeover! Slowly simmered with a “pinch of this, dash of that",” the result is slightly sweet but mostly bold Mediterranean flavor that will have you going back for seconds.
Now that it’s almost 10 PM and I’m just finishing up this post, I’m totally wishing I hadn’t fallen asleep on the couch 3 hours ago when I started it. I’m totally wishing I’d made a real dinner tonight, like this one. I must be exhausted from all those Skinny Bitches that wedding dancing.
You read my mind! My mind was saying turkey burgers and Greek food – I just hadn’t put them together yet! Can’t wait to try them!
This looks super, I love the contrast in colors inside the Turkey patty.. did you grill them on the “grill”?
Your crazy summer sounds like the one I had last year, crazy busy but fun! These burgers look delicious.
Congrats on the date decision. All things will come so much easier now, I promise. Your little turkey burgers look delicious! I am stealing the green bean recipe for tonight’s dinner plans.
YOU’RE BACK!!!! I couldn’t stop laughing at this post Liz… hysterical! Obvi I can imagine all of it… mom dancing on the dance floor and all! GREAT post! Can’t wait to see you at the Bach party this weekend… what happens in Maine stays in Maine!!
damn girl! It sounds like food blogging is the furthest thing from your mind with no excuses needed! I wish I was half as busy as you so I could at least have an excuse for when I want to slack (slack? No, never….>.>). Congrats on picking a date and scratching a few other things off the list. I can’t imagine how excited you must be!
These sliders look and sound great! I need to incorporate a little more ground poultry into out beefy diet or Im afraid of the consequences around here.
mmm…aren’t those burgers the best!? glad you enjoyed. pictures are great!
Congrats on setting the date!! You sound SO busy! We all certainly miss you but don’t worry about being MIA…we all understand!!
Your sliders are to die for my dear. They look awesome. I have always been a fan of turkey burgers more than regular burgers so these look ridiculously yummy to me right about now!
Your recipe for Greek turkey sliders just may provide the motivation for me to try breaking away from my beef habit. Thanks for taking time to share it with us.
Those beans look pure delish,have fun planning that wedding and don’t let it stress you out too much.
Sounds like it is going to be CRAZY!! I love that you set a date for your new health insurance!!! AND it comes with a husband? Man, that’s SOME HMO!! =) Great sliders…good you can at least enjoy this in between the dresses and the dancing.
I can totally understand your busy-ness, I’m right there with you! I’ve been eating lots of lettuce and caesar dressing that I call a salad. It’s pathetic. Great looking burgers today, I’m a big fan of turkey burgers.
Good luck wedding planning! These burgers, the grill marks, the flavors, I’m getting hungry… Thanks for sharing the recipe
Good luck with your wedding plans! Your turkey sliders look amazing!
Oh, a sunburn already? Isn”t it nice, though, that it’s finally warm here? I am loving it, it means getting outside with the kids every day.
Great meal, I’d happily eat that after a day at the beach. Oh, and congrats on setting a date!
@Carolyn, Sadly, yes! It was overcast and I didn’t apply sunscreen because I didn’t think I’d be staying at the beach. Bad idea!
@Erin @ Dinners, Dishes and Desserts, Thank you!
@Bianca @ Confessions of a Chocoholic, They were delish!
@Vicki @ Wilde in the Kitchen, I always use turkey now in lieu of beef!
@Belinda @zomppa, Haha, Lloyd has excellent insurance and I’ve been dying to get on it!
@RavieNomNoms, I love turkey instead, too! Don’t even miss the beef!
@jen, Thanks for sharing!
@kita, Haha, the break is nice, although I’ve been busy with other things, so no “real” break!
@Chelsea @ Sprinkles of Parsley, Haha, thanks Chels! I know you can appreciate how busy we’ve been.
@Emily @ Life on Food, I hope you LOVE the beans!
@Lauren at Keep It Sweet, It’s all fun stuff, that’s for sure!
@elle marie, I grilled them on my Cuisinart griddler, actually!
@Emily, I hope you try it!
Hey Liz.. my comment reply is not working on my site, can you tell me which plug in you are using? I’d reallllllllly appreciate it = )
These look delicious! I love turkey burgers almost any way they are made. I’ll have to try this
Congrats oh the health insurance….err..I mean on setting a date!
They’re so cute- I love ‘em!
Liz,
I know you have been busy! Congrats on choosing the date! What cute burgers! And yummy flavors too…exactly what I’m looking for to shake up my burger obsession these days.
On July 7, 2012, I will gain the best health insurance I’ve ever had. And it even comes with a husband. <– best comment ever. I don't think I could agree more. I just switched to his & it's like a saving grace
I love all of the purple…You HAVE to show me the dresses. You know I'm obsessed.
Can't wait to see more wedding details!!
& I am making these this week. It's a guarantee! You're going to have a lot of ping backs coming your way
I LOVE the spin on the green beans!!!!!!
@Holly, I just got one of the dresses- I have to try it on but it’s SO pretty!!!