"A Royal with Cheese"

Had a busy weekend that included eating burgers and or hot dogs 3 days/nights in a row, so when I heard Mom and Grandma Enid were coming I decided to break out of the mold and make...what else but Chicken Burgers ;-) Thanks to the Iowa Girl, I made her adaptation on a Chicken Burger and they were very tasty so much so that Michael asked if we could make them again.

CHILI LIME CHICKEN BURGERS  (Copy cat recipe of Trader Joe's)

Ingredients (serves 4)

• 1lb ground chicken
• 2 green onions, chopped
• 1/4 cup chopped red bell pepper
• 2 Tablespoons chopped cilantro
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 lime, cut in half
• 4 slices pepper jack cheese
• 4 buns, toasted

Instructions

• Combine chicken, green onions, bell pepper, cilantro, garlic, salt, red pepper flakes and juice of half a lime in a large bowl. Mix until thoroughly combined, then form into 4 patties and spray each side generously with non-stick spray.
• Heat a large grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Grill burgers for 3-4 minutes a side, or until cooked all the way through. Place a slice of cheese on top of each burger, then cover with a large pot lid, and allow to melt for about a minute. Remove burgers to a plate, tent with foil, and allow to rest for 5 minutes. Place each burger on a toasted thin bun, then top with guacamole.

I also made and am eating RIGHT NOW a Mini Fruit Pie in a Jar. 

MINI PIES in a MASON JAR

courtesy www.paigesofstyle.com

Ingredients

4 1/2 cups mixed berries (fresh or frozen, I used cherries, raspberries, blackberries and blueberries)

1/2 cup granulated sugar

3 Tbsp. cornstarch

Zest from 2 lemons

2 Tbsp. unsalted butter plus more for brushing the tops of the pies

Sanding sugar (optional)

2 ready made pie crust, thawed according to package directions

8 wide mouth half pint mason jars 

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

2. Place mixed berries, sugar, cornstarch and lemon zest in a bowl and stir gently until combined. Let sit for 15 minutes if you are using frozen berries.

3. Fill each of the mason jars about 3/4 of the way full with the mixed berries. 

4. Dot the tops of the berries with the butter. 

5. Place your thawed dough on a clean work surface and use the ring of the lid to create the perfect size top crust. 

6. Place the crust onto the mason jar and carefully push the center down a tiny bit and press the crust against the walls of the jar. 

7. Use a fork to crimp the edges of the pie crust against the wall of the mason jar and use a knife to cut two slits in the center of the crust. 

8. Brush tops with melted butter and sprinkle with sanding sugar. 

9. Place pies on a baking sheet and bake at 375 degrees for 45 minutes, rotating halfway through. If the tops start to brown too quickly, cover with foil for the remainder of the baking time.