Thyme for                         Cooking

Chevre Stuffed Burgers, Grilled
Grilled Shallots
French Potato Salad
Strawberries with Minted Yogurt

Cooking time:  30 minutes for menu Cooking schedule: see below for "menu" instructions

Chevre Stuffed Burgers, Grilled                                     Time: 25 minutes

12 oz ground beef (350 gr mince)  or 16oz if that's what's available
3 slices chevre, 1/4" thick (.6cm)   if from a small chevre, they should be perfect, a larger round may
                                                   have to be cut to fit
1 tbs olive oil
1/2 tsp dried basil
1/4 tsp garlic powder
2 tbs breadcrumbs
1 tbs red wine
2 tsp ketchup
2 tsp soy sauce

In medium bowl mix herbs, breadcrumbs, garlic, ketchup, soy sauce and wine.  Add beef and mix well - hands work best.  Divide in half.   Shape one half into 3 patties.  Put a slice of goat cheese on top of each patty.  Divide remaining beef into thirds.  Make each into a patty and place on top of cheese.  Work edges to seal.  Oil hinged basket.  Place patties in basket and cook on barbecue grill over direct heat for 4 - 5 minutes per side.  Or cook directly on barbecue grill.  Or sauté in nonstick skillet for same amount of time.  Remove and serve. 

Note:  If you still have goat cheese left, serve as a garnish for the burgers

Grilled Shallots                                                            Time: 30 minutes

5 - 6 shallots
1 tbs Balsamic Vinegar
2 tsp ketchup
1 tbs olive oil

Peel shallots, leave whole.  Mix vinegar, ketchup and olive oil, add shallots and toss to coat.   Cook on barbecue grill in any old metal pan that has been designated for barbecue use - stir frequently and cook about 25 minutes or until brown and done. OR put in 400F (200C) oven for 30 minutes or until done - stirring half way through cooking time.

French Potato Salad                                                    Time: 30 minutes

4 - 6 medium potatoes - depending on size
1 tbs snipped fresh chives
1 tbs snipped fresh tarragon
2 tbs olive oil - the good stuff
2 tbs tarragon white wine vinegar
1/4 beef stock

In a small bowl whisk olive oil, vinegar and stock.  Add chives and tarragon and let sit to blend flavors while potatoes cook.  Slice the potatoes for salad, put in a steamer basket over an inch of water and steam over medium heat for 15 minutes or until just done.  Remove from heat, uncover and let steam escape a bit.  Put potatoes into large bowl and immediately pour dressing over and stir gently.  Let rest to absorb flavors, stirring gently occasionally, until cooled to room temperature. Serve.

Fresh Strawberries with Yogurt Sauce                        Time: 10 minutes

1 - 1 1/2 cups fresh strawberries
1 tbs powdered sugar (or regular if that is what you have)
Yogurt Dipping Sauce (see above)

Rinse strawberries.  With your fingers, pull the stem end and leaves off.  That's it, you're done.  When ready to serve, put them into pretty, individual glass dishes, sprinkle with powdered sugar and put a dollop of Yogurt Sauce on top, and a whole mint leaf if you have one.   Serve with the rest of the Yogurt Sauce for dipping.

Yogurt Dipping Sauce                                                   Time: 5 minutes          

1/2 cup (4oz, 120ml) plain yogurt
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp snipped fresh mint leaves, 2 - 3 leaves, (spearmint)  substitute 1/2 tsp dried, divided

Mix all ingredients and refrigerate until serving.
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Cooking Schedule: 30 minutes
Assemble all ingredients, pans and serving dishes
Turn on/light barbecue grill if using
Slice the potatoes and start to steam
Peel shallots
Mix vinegar, ketchup and oil
Add shallots and toss
Start to cook shallots
Snip all herbs
Make dressing for potato salad
Make minted yogurt sauce
Trim strawberries and put in dishes
Slice chevre

Mix herbs, etc for burgers
Add beef and mix
Mind the shallots
Remove potatoes and add to dressing, toss well
Divide beef and patty half
Lay cheese on patties
Patty remaining beef and finish burgers
Stir potatoes
Oil basket, add burgers
Start to cook burgers
Turn burgers
Mind the shallots
Serve all and enjoy!

 

 

 

 

Cooking for Two?  Or more? 
Our Weekly Menu Planner Service gives you healthy, gourmet dinners, carefully planned to eliminate waste and insure a wide variety of seasonal, wholesome foods each week. 

All text and images are copyright © 2005 - 2007 Kathleen Lerum Zeller.
All rights reserved unless otherwise indicated

 

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Menu for the week of May 25, 2007

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