looking for spice...in red cabbage & apple slaw chicken burgers

When it comes to chicken, I don't know what else to say other than "shit's delicious." I love me some chicken, and probably eat it once a day. With the use of spices and herbs (and creativity and proper equipment) chicken dishes can be prepared a thousand different ways.

To close out this long, hot summer I decided to try out these chicken burgers because, well, who doesn't love a good burger? The hint of sweetness from the green apple and the crunchiness of the creamy red cabbage slaw gives this dish a really refreshing, crisp summer feel.The marriage of sweet and savory isn't something that I'm used to, as I don't really like sweetness in my main courses, however like I said earlier..shit's delicious. 

For the chicken burgers: (serves 4)

1lb. ground chicken

1/2 cup small diced granny smith apple

1/2 cup small diced red onion

1/4 cup small diced celery

3 Tbs. mayo

1 Tsp. Dijon mustard

2 Tsp. minced garlic

1/2 Tsp. salt

1/4 Tsp. pepper

4 sesame hamburger buns

In a mixing bowl, add all aforementioned ingredients and gently mix with your hands. Yes, your hands..cooking means getting a little dirty. Well, cooking with ME means getting really dirty. Luckily, I've got an enthusiastic 55 pound pitbull named Lucy, who has better vacuuming skills than my (new) hot pink vacuum. 

Once you've mixed your ingredients, and your hands (and shirt) are covered in raw chicken, form 4 1/2-inch-thick patties

Grab a nonstick skillet, and allow 2 Tbs. of vegetable oil to heat up under medium heat. Once your skillet is nice and hot, carefully cook your chicken patties until golden brown and thoroughly cooked on both sides. To make sure your burgers are thoroughly cooked, you can either use an instantread thermometer making sure your burgers are at about 165F or you can use an instantread fork and knife, like me. The burgers should cook for about 9-12 minutes on each side, but shouldn't cook for too long, as the chicken is incredibly easy to dry out. 

In the mean time, pop the hamburger buns in the toaster and start on your red cabbage & apple slaw. 

For the creamy red cabbage & apple slaw

4 Tbs. mayo 

2 Tsp. Dijon mustard

2 Tsp. fresh lime juice

1/2 cup small-diced granny smith apple

1-1/2 cup thinly sliced red cabbage 

1/8 Tsp. salt 

1/8 Tsp. pepper

Toss to combine these aaaamazing ingredients and you've got your slaw! Feel free to add more salt, pepper and lime juice to taste. Initially, the recipe ordered for 3 Tbs. of mayo and 1 Tsp. of Dijon mustard, but upon tasting it; we decided to add in order to achieve perfect creaminess. Once you've removed the buns from the oven (ha ha), you're ready to plate your chicken burgers. Place your burgers on the bun, and then add a very generous portion of slaw on top. Take a bite and then repeat after me: "mmmm."

The first time I tried this recipe, I had a side dish of chickpea & spinach salad. That, however, was a bit of an unfortunate mess... which I'll blog about soon. Oh, I forgot to mention...what does one do with leftover lime wedges? That's right, tequila. Cheers!

Until my next adventure...

xx,

ronit