In countless studies experts agree – sharing meals helps to keep families strong. Family dinners are often the only time that everyone sits down together in a 24 hour period and they are a great time to catch up on what is happening in everyone’ lives – from school to activities to relationships. Among the many benefits of the family meal are good habits children develop around nutrition, manners and communication with family members. The family table can also be a place where the stresses of the day melt away while children and parents share stories and anecdotes about their day-to-day lives.
Eating dinner together as a family is something that most families strive for, but let’s face it – with our busy schedules – soccer practice, homework, late meetings, the commute – etc. all these combine to frequently have us standing up and feeding our kids while they sit at the kitchen island.
We found an excellent resource to help make planning those family meals fun and easy. Check out this great website for great suggestions about how to make the family meal happen, how to shop for it and some excellent, no fuss, nutritious meals that everyone will enjoy.
The site features commentary, advice and a blog by family meal expert Miriam Weinstein, author of The Surprising Power of Family Meals
In her book, The Surprising Power of Family Meals, Miriam Weinstein shows how this basic human institution helps nourish and strengthen our families today.
Do you have a scheduling strategy for making family dinners happen on a regular basis? Do you do something fun to make sure that everyone makes family dinner a priority? Do you have special recipes you’d like to share? We’d love to hear from you. In the meantime, we liked this recipe for Apple Turkey Burgers, a fun alternative for a family dinner night. Enjoy!
Apple Turkey Burgers
Prep Time: 20 min Cook Time: 15 min Makes: 4 Servings
Ingredients
- 3/4 pound ground turkey
- 1/2 cup peeled, shredded apple
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- 3/4 teaspoon lemon pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon apple pie spice*
- 1/4 cup bottled chili sauce
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1/4 cup Apple Jelly
- 4 whole wheat hamburger buns, toasted, if desired
- Lettuce leaves
Preparation Directions
HEAT broiler. Spray broiler pan with no-stick cooking spray.
COMBINE turkey, apple, green onions, lemon pepper, salt and apple pie spice in large bowl. Shape into 4 patties about 1/2-inch thick.
COMBINE chili sauce, ketchup and apple jelly in small saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally while patties cook. Cool slightly.
BROIL turkey patties about 6 inches from heat for 6 to 8 minutes per side or until no longer pink in center.
PLACE lettuce and burgers on bottom halves of buns. Top each with 2 tablespoons sauce. Cover with bun tops. Serve immediately.
TIP
The turkey mixture and sauce can be prepared a day in advance and refrigerated, tightly covered. Broil patties and reheat sauce just prior to serving.
TIP
*Substitute a pinch of cinnamon and a pinch of allspice for apple pie spice, if desired.