Cheese Stuffed Zucchini Turkey Burger

Happy Friday!!!
Eating burgers will never be the same in my house after having this burger. I haven't eaten a burger in a long time. Mostly because I've been repellant to it since getting pregnant. But for some reason I decided to have a burger dinner night and I'm glad to report it worked out well. I was even excited as I was making it and my hubby was just curious as always :)  Mixing the Zucchini in the burger is perfect. It's the perfect way to make kids eat their vegetable in a burger, if you have any. You can also try other vegetables. This combination works very well because zucchini has a high water content and that really keeps the burger moist as turkey can get dry very easily. So, this is no doubt a juicy burger as well. I had no problem with the cheese oozing out of the burger while grilling it because I made sure the edges were tightly pressed/closed, took extra caution not to press too hard on the burger while grilling and I think the fact that I used some hard cheese also helped.
The stuffed cheese part actually came out of necessity. I only had one sliced cheese left and there are two of us and four burgers. Then I realized I have a lot more shredded cheese and some whole Parmesan, so I decided to combine those two and infuse it into the burger. Of course I had to make fries to go with it. I think we have enough greens going on between the lettuce and Zucchini. Combined with the sweet potato fries, I think I have just created  another staple dish for my household.

Ingredients
1 1/2 tsp Paprika
3/4 tsp Salt
1/2 tsp Black pepper
2 tbsp Teriyaki sauce
2 cups Zucchini, grated
1 lb Ground Turkey
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
1/4 cup shredded Colby & Monterey jack cheese (substitute cheese of choice)

Directions
1. Combine cheese in a bowl and set aside
2. Combine paprika, salt, pepper, teriyaki sauce, grated zucchini and ground turkey in a bowl and lightly mix with your hands until all ingredients are well blended
3. Shape turkey mixture into 8 thin patties. Mound 2 tbsp of cheese mixture onto 4 of the patties leaving a little border around the edges.
If you're counting...you'll see only 7 patties, couldn't fit the last one on there. I did spread the cheese out a little more than pictured
4. Cover each of the cheese patties with the remaining 4 patties. Seal the edges by pressing the meat together.
5. Heat up a greased flat pan on medium heat. Once hot, grill the stuffed patties for 5 minutes on each side for a well done burger. Avoid pressing down on the middle of the burger while grilling with your thong or spatula, you might press the cheese out.
6. Serve and Enjoy!!!

Pregnancy Journal: Dressing The Changing Body

Hello people!
Hope you had a great long memorial day weekend. Mine was pretty decent. I definitely enjoyed that extra day of sleeping in. On Sunday evening, we ended up at a friends place for a barbeque. I ate so much all I could do when we got home was go straight to bed. I kept saying I'm done eating but couldn't stop eating; the food was just too good.

These pictures are from a few weeks ago. I think my bump plays hide and seek with me on some days, also depends a little on what I'm wearing. But, I'm pretty sure we're getting to the point where there will be no more hiding. Since the bump started to make an appearance, I've been wearing a lot of loose tops . Thankfully, majority of  my blouse and shirt are loose and not fitted so I didn't have to go out and buy anything new. With a little help from the belly belt (that thing works like magic) and a long tank top,  I can wear all pants as usual. All my pants still fit except for the waist on some of them but that's a problem easily fixed with the belly belt. This really makes dressing for work easy also. 
My other go-to attire is a dress. Mostly because they are just more comfortable and it's the perfect weather for wearing dresses anyway. I have gone up a size in dresses mostly because I like some breathing space and some room to grow into. I still wear my old size dresses as well but they are becoming a little snug. I have a couple of skirts with elastic waist and those are coming in handy as well.  All my band waist skirts pretty much went out the window from day one. Even before the bump appeared, there was bloating which made wearing anything on my waist line incredibly uncomfortable. Apart from those little modifications to my regular outfits, my wardrobe remains the same and waistline keeps getting bigger :)




Pants: Limited, Top: F21, Bag: Steve Madden, Shoes: Jessica Simpson, Necklace: Limited


Teriyaki Salmon with Rosemary Roasted Potatoes & Peppers

So, I'm a little behind on my food posts. Ok, a lot behind. Blame it on lack of exact recipe. Sometimes, I write on a random sticky note as  I go along but I don't go a good job of keeping it safe; so when I finally go looking for it, it's gone. I actually have a notebook for my recipes but it rarely clicks to use that or if it does and I just ignore it.Will try to do a better job from now on :)

This was something I made while my sister was still around.  Since she made so many banging food for us while she was here I made something nice for her just before she left and she enjoyed it. This was the kind of food that you start eating and even before you get half way through with what's on your plate, you go back to refill it. I particularly love all the veggies and peppers with the potatoes and the mild sweetness of the Salmon. I used two different Teriyaki sauce because the Sushi Chef one was too tangy for me and the Sesame Teriyaki had a little sweetness to it. So, both together balanced out perfectly.

Ingredients

Potatoes
1 yellow pepper, diced
1 red pepper, diced
1 orange pepper, diced
1 zucchini, sliced
1 cup grape tomatoes, halve
8 carrots sticks, chopped
1 med red onions,chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp thyme, chopped
2 tbsp rosemary, chopped
1/4 cup and 2 tbs olive oil, divided
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar (optional)
6 red potatoes, cubed
salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Salmon
1/4 cup Japaneses Teriyaki
1/2 cup sesame Teriyaki
4 cuts of salmon

Notice the sweet potato in the mix? It's just a left over I had to use, not required.
Directions

Potatoes
1. In a small bowl combine thyme, rosemary, garlic,balsamic vinegar and olive oil. Set aside to marinate while chopping peppers and potatoes
2. In a large bowl combine chopped potatoes, onions and carrots.In another combine peppers, zucchini and tomatoes. `Add salt and pepper to both mixtures. Spread rosemary marinade over potato mixture and pepper mixture, dividing marinade equally.
3. Spread potatoes mixture in a greased baking dish and bake at 450 degrees F for 40 minutes. Turing occasionally. Remove at 40 minutes, add and stir in the pepper mixtures. Bake another 20-30 or until potatoes is golden brown.
Salmon
1. In a large shallow bowl combine both Teriyaki sauce and marinate salmon covered in refrigerator for a minimum of one hour turning half way through
2. Heat 2 tbsp of olive oil in frying pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, sear salmon, 2 minutes per side. Turn heat to low and pour in reserved marinade. Cover and let cook for 3-4 minutes or until cooked through.
3. Serve and Enjoy!

Hello Bump

Hello Lovelies!
I'm sure the title and the first pictures says it all. I am truly happy to finally share this wonderful news with you all. We are truly grateful to be experiencing and partaking in this wonderful miracle and can't wait for the next phase of our lives to begin. I am over the moon and loving this baby bump. The experience has been amazing so far and I can't wait to meet the little one in due time. 


Dress: Zara, Blazer: H&M, Shoes: VS, Bag: Steve Madden

Edgy and Girly

Happy Monday lovelies!
Making plans for the weekend and not following through on them is becoming an habit of mine. I was supposed to go to a function with Mr. D. but he ended up going alone. My church had a two day program that I planned on attending but only made it there the first day. I was supposed to meet up with a friend to hang out but that got postponed. Looks like I'm becoming a couch potato these days. Since I didn't do most of the things I planned, you can imagine how I spent my weekend. Hubby and I managed to make it to the movie though. We saw Iron Man 3. It was alright.

This Zara pant is another purchase from last year that just recently found its way out of my closet. I love the fact that it's a super comfy and causal pant but has some edge and can be easily dressed up or down. I am not a leather person but it's amazing what a little bit of leather can do to an otherwise regular pair of sweatpants. I wanted to keep the tone and vibe of the pant in the rest of the outfit, which is why I went with this light weight grey and black turtleneck which is perfect. Even though it's all sunny outside, it is still quite windy and can get a little chilly for me. To complete the outfit and add a bit of the feminine/girly touch, I paired it with a simple strappy sandal with pink straps and a little bow on the side. I think that added just the right amount of girly touch to the outfit.

Pants: Zara, Top: F21, Blazer: H&M, Shoes: VS, Bag: F21

The Liebster Award

So, dearest Julia of Black tag diaries nominated me for the Liebster a long long time ago and I'm only just getting around to creating the post.

I'm going to be a party pooper and skip some of the rules. But I'll get to the main part which is answering Julia's questions.

Rule #1... Post 11 random facts about yourself.
Rule #2... Answer the 11 questions that the nominating blogger asked.
Rule #3... Create 11 new questions for the bloggers you intend to nominate.
Rule #4... Select 11 new bloggers (with less than 200 followers) to nominate for the award.
Rule #5... Visit their blog and let them know 11 times... just kidding... just let them know you gave them an award.

Hope you don't get bored reading this.
 

1.  11 random facts about myself
  1. I can't swim
  2. I don't like scary movies
  3. I love to sleep
  4. I used to be in a choir as a teen
  5. I can be a little sensitive
  6. I used to eat sand as a kid
  7. I wish I paid more attention in my French class in secondary school
  8. I love fruits
  9. I can be a picky eater
  10. I don't like animals/pets. From afar yes, close up, big no no
  11.  I'm an indoor person. The only outdoor activity I get excited about is going to the beach
2.  My answers to Julia's question

1) What's your all-time favorite movie?
I'm not sure I have one. If I start naming, it could easily turn into a long list.

2) Mints or gum?

Gum.

3) What types of blogs do you gravitate towards? (home decor, crafting, cooking, literature, style & fashion... etc??)
Mostly Cooking, style & fashion and home decor. If I stumble upon a good read in other areas, I'll stop to read and maybe come back for a couple more posts.

4) As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Funny enough, I've always wanted to be an Engineer. I different kind than I am today but it's all in the same boat.

5) How do you drink your tea?
With honey just enough sweetness but not too much.

6) What U.S. city is on your "must visit" list?
If you'd asked me this question some months/years ago, I probably would have said, Chicago, NYC, Miami or Las Vegas but since I've been to Chicago more than once, I live right next to NYC, spent a fews days in Miami and spend more days than anticipated in Las Vegas. Next on my list is New Orleans, LA

7) What do you never leave home without (besides your cell phone)?
My chap stick

8) What's your go-to ice cream flavor?
Vanilla, i'm a classic simple girl when it comes to ice cream flavor. By the time you start mixing pineapple strawberry mango banana....yea, you get the idea...I pretty much lose interest

9) Beach or mountains?
Beach...anytime, anyday. Which is ironic given the fact that I can't swim, but the scenery, waves, smell, sunrise/sunset...let's just say i'll like to own a house by the beach somewhere someday.

10) What was your favorite childhood toy?
I don't really remember playing with that much toys honestly. In between having fours sisters throwing and tossing you around, telling you to jump off a cliff and promising to catch you but never do. I don't know how I kept falling for that. I remember spending a lot of time playing mummy and daddy outside under the trees cooking and eating sand, leaves, fruits and what not. If I did play with toys, I definitely don't remember. I did have one favorite thing though. Not much of a toy, but it was my big and fluffy teddy bear. It was my favourite thing to play/hold on to when alone, but my worst enemy when it becomes a big monster (when my sisters/friends get it wet and chase me around with it).

11) What's the strangest thing in your purse right now?
Take your pick between a small container of Mike and Ike candy or an orange.


There you have it.