Sometimes blogging about food just doesn’t cut it. I often have to supplement my food thoughts and words with food talk or virtual food talk. Such was the case yesterday when World photographer Kathryn Stevens and I were communicating over iChat, the interoffice instant messaging program. Here’s what went down:

Me: what should i eat?

Kathryn: hmmm…I had the best thing on Monday night.

Me: what????

Kathryn: Greek turkey burgers. They are SOOOO good and good for you.

Me: where how when?

Kathryn: I cheat quite a bit b/c I forget the original recipe.

Me: that’s great!

Kathryn: I use turkey meat and add pressed garlic, fresh mint, greek seasoning, salt, pepper and form the patties. Then, to make tzatziki sauce i use plain non-fat yogurt with more greek seasoning, cucumber, salt and garlic salt. This time I cooked the patties in a skillet with olive oil and garlic and it was MUCH better b/c it is the turkey meat, but in the past I’ve just cooked it on the Foreman.

Kathryn: Then of course you add feta and tomato and cucumber for garnish.

Me: that wounds fantastic [Yes, I wrote “wounds” instead of “sounds.” I am pretty sloppy over iChat.]

Kathryn: I put it on a wheat bun.

Kathryn: Oh my gosh, I LOVE IT.

Kathryn: Especially during the summer months.

So, I e-mailed myself the chat in order to remember what goes in the burgers, wrote a shopping list in my phone, headed to the grocery store and made the burgers. They really were “SOOOO good.” This is recipe is a keeper.

Because I’m cheap and was pretty sure I had all the spices in my cupboard, I made my own Greek seasoning. I also wanted to use some of my garden’s bounty so I put fresh spinach on my burger and added green onions to the tzatziki sauce. I made a few other changes and additions. Here’s my adapted recipe thanks to Kathryn.

Recipes

Kathryn’s Greek Turkey Burgers

1 pound ground turkey

1/4 cup chopped mint

1/4 cup chopped parsley

1 clove minced garlic

2 teaspoons Greek seasoning (recipe follows)

Salt and pepper to season

2 tablespoons olive oil

Tzatziki sauce (recipe follows)

Feta cheese

Sliced tomatoes

Combine turkey, mint, parsley, garlic and Greek seasoning until just combined. Divide into quarters and form into patties to fit your hamburger buns. Season with salt and pepper. Heat oil in frying pan over medium-high heat. Cook patties until browned and cooked through, about 5 minutes on each side, turning once.

Spread tzatziki sauce on buns, add turkey burger patty, feta cheese, tomato and whatever else you want.

Greek Seasoning

1 Teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon onion salt

1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

1/2 teaspoon ground pepper

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Combine. Set aside

Tzatziki Sauce

6 ounces plain yogurt

6 ounces Greek (or strained) yogurt

3/4 cup diced cucumber, squeezed of excess water

2 cloves minced garlic

1/4 cup chopped parsley

1/4 cup diced green onion

2 teaspoons Greek seasoning

Mix all ingredients and let sit at least 1 hour to let flavors meld. Add salt and pepper to taste.