Turkey Burgers

These burgers were really good.  The recipe calls for a tablespoon of Asian chili paste but I left that out so that the kids would still eat them.  I also left the water chestnuts out because I didn't feel like using them, and I didn't use the cilantro because I forgot to buy it, but I'll try that next time.  But feel free to try it with them and let me know what you think. :)
I'm not sure that I would add the water next time.  After I mixed everything together the burgers were really wet and I wasn't sure that we could even cook them on the grill.  So I added 1 egg and some bread crumbs to help out a little.  And then we ended up not eating them til the next day and I think that helped to let the bread crumbs soak up and everything worked fine.  :)  So anyway, I had to play around with this recipe a bit but it was yummy.

Turkey Burgers

Ingredients

Burgers:
Extra-virgin olive oil
1 onion, cut into 1/4-inch dice
Kosher salt
2 cloves garlic, smashed and finely chopped
1 1/2 pounds ground turkey
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 tablespoon Asian chili paste, optional
1 -inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and grated
One 8-ounce can water chestnuts, drained and coarsely chopped, optional
1/2 bunch fresh cilantro leaves, finely chopped

Optional Garnishes:
4 slices Cheddar
4 seeded burger buns
1/4 cup mayo mixed with 2 teaspoons Asian chili paste (or just plain mayo)
4 slices beefsteak tomatoes
4 slices raw red onion
Butter lettuce

Directions

Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F to keep the first batch of burgers warm.
For the burgers: Coat a large saute pan with olive oil. Add the onions, season with salt and bring to a medium-high heat. Cook the onions until they are soft and very aromatic, 7 to 8 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 to 2 minutes. Turn off the heat and let cool.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the turkey, soy sauce, sambal oelek, ginger, water chestnuts, cilantro and the cooked onions and garlic. (Reserve the onion pan to cook the burgers in later.) Add one-quarter to one-half cup water; this will help the burgers stay nice and moist. Using your hands, squish everything together until they are really well combined.  Form the mix into 4 equal size patties.
Coat the saute pan with new olive oil and bring to a medium-high heat. Place the burgers in the pan. Be sure not to crowd the pan, if you need to work in batches go ahead! Cook the burgers for 5 to 6 minutes on each side. Place the cheese, if using, on the burger and cook for 1 more minute.

Alternatively, grill on medium-high heat until cooked through.
Toast the buns in a broiler or toaster, or on the grill. Add desired garnishes and enjoy!


Recipe altered slightly, from Food Network  http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/anne-burrell/turkey-burger-recipe.print.html?oc=linkback