August Challenge "FUNKY UNCHUNKY MONKEY'S" (CLOSED GROUP)

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Here's my recipe.

Mozzarella Stuffed Turkey Burgers

4 servings

Active Time: 50 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

INGREDIENTS

MARINARA SAUCE
2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 small onion, finely chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups chopped plum tomatoes, with juices
6 oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, drained and finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil

BURGERS
1 pound 93%-lean ground turkey
1/4 cup finely chopped scallions
2 teaspoons minced garlic
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon freshly grated lemon zest
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil
2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
4 4-inch-square slices foccacia bread, (about 2 ounces each), toasted

PREPARATION
To prepare marinara: Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, cover and cook, stirring frequently, until translucent, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in fresh tomatoes and any juices, sun-dried tomatoes, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes have broken down, 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in basil and remove from the heat. Transfer to a food processor and pulse to form a coarse-textured sauce. Return to the pan and set aside.
To prepare burgers: Place turkey, scallions, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, lemon zest, oregano, 1/2 teaspoon pepper and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a large bowl. Gently combine, without overmixing, until evenly incorporated. Form into 8 thin patties about 4-inches wide and 3/8 inch thick.
Combine 1/4 cup cheese and basil and place an equal amount in the center of 4 patties. Cover with the remaining patties and crimp the edges closed.
Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat (see Grilling Variation). Add burgers and cook, turning once, until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the center registers 165°F, 8 to 10 minutes total.
Warm the marinara on the stove. To assemble the burgers, spread 3 tablespoons of marinara on each toasted focaccia, top with a burger, about 3 more tablespoons of marinara and 1 tablespoon of the remaining cheese. Grilling Variation: To grill the turkey burgers, preheat a grill to medium-high. Oil the grill rack (see Tip). Grill the patties, turning once, until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the center registers 165°F, 8 to 10 minutes total

299 calories; 15 g fat (4 g sat, 5 g mono); 74 mg cholesterol; 14 g carbohydrates; 28 g protein; 2 g fiber; 706 mg sodium; 382 mg potassium

I made some adjustments:

I did not use Focaccia bread. I used a wheat hamburger bun.
I did not make the marinara, I bought it (Francesco Rinaldi)
I only used 1 tbsp of basil in the hamburger meat.
I only used 2 tbsp of marinara on the bottom and 2 on the top.
I used 1/2 cup of mozzarella in the middle mixture.
I used Kraft Fat Free Shredded mozzarella
I only separated the hamburger into 6 patties (3 burgers)

The adjusted nutritional facts for this are (burger only): 332 Cal, 11 Carbs, 15 grams of fat, 39 protei

OMG I just got a look at the final week and Monday and Tuesday of the next week...we are all gonna die!!! But we will die being fit and in shape...right? *lol* Let's go team funky unchunky monkey's!