Quick and Delicious Main Courses

I'm always on the lookout for good, healthy and delicious quick dinners to prepare in the middle of the week.  Recently a good friend shared some recipes that are too good to keep a secret.  They were both courtesy of Rachael Ray, the host of 30 Minute Meals on the Food Network.  I modified them a little bit and strongly encourage you to try them.  They were big hits for my family and I know your's will enjoy them as well. 

Lamb Burgers with Garlic Yogurt Sauce and Pita          Serves 4
Ingredients:
1 1/2 pounds ground lamb (I went to Publix and asked the butcher to grind up some stew meat)
1  medium yellow onion, peeled
1/2 teaspoon allspice
1  teaspoon ground cumin
1/4  teaspoon ground cinnamon
1  small red chile pepper, seeded and minced (I used a poblano it worked just as good)
1 egg, lightly beaten
A handful plain bread crumbs
Salt & freshly ground pepper
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

Put the lamb in a bowl.  Using a hand grater, grate the onion over the bowl so that the pulp of the onion and juices fall into the meat.  Add the spices, chile pepper, egg, bread crumbs, salt and pepper, to taste, and mix to combine.  Form the meat mixture into 4 patties, thinner at the middle and thicker at the edges for even cooking.

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and coat with oil, cook the patties about 10 minutes, turning once. 

Ingredients:
1  cup Greek yogurt
1  large clove garlic, peeled and minced
1/2 finely diced cucumber (pat dry to remove moisture)
4  "burger sized" soft pitas
1/2 red onion, peeled and sliced thinly
1/2 small red cabbage shredded

While the patties cook, add the yogurt to a small bowl.  Add the minced garlic, mint and finely chopped cucumber and stir to combine.

Warm the pitas in a saute pan sprayed with PAM, eat the burgers in or on the pita bread topped with the yogurt sauce, sliced red onion and shredded cabbage.

Another delicious and easy "must try" recipe is Margarita Fish Tacos.  You can serve this in a Taco shell or just plain with a nice salad of chopped lettuce, sliced avocado and red onion.  Whatever you do, just try it, you'll love it!!!

Margarita Fish Tacos                                        Serves 4
Ingredients:
2  oz. Tequila
1  lime zested and juiced
3  tablespoons vegetable oil
1  tablespoon seafood seasoning (I used Old Bay)
1  teaspoon chili powder
4 (6 to 8 oz) portions mahi mahi fillets

In a small bowl, combine the tequila with the lime zest and juice, 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, seafood seasoning, and chili powder.  Coat the fish in the dressing (don't leave this too long, no more than 15 minutes).

Ingredients:
1  small red onion, chopped
1  jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped
2  cloves garlic, finely chopped
8  tomatillos, peeled and coarsely chopped
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1  teaspoon ground cumin
1  lemon, zested and juiced
1  generous tablespoon honey (use more if tomatillos are bitter tasting)
1  small ripe avocado, halved, seeded and flesh removed

Heat medium skillet with the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil over medium-high heat.  Add the onions, jalapeno and garlic.  Saute for a few minutes until the mixture begins to soften, then add the coarsely chopped tomatillos.  Season with salt and pepper to taste and stir in the cumin.  Cook until the tomatillos soften, about 6-7 minutes more.  Remove from the heat and let cool for about 5 minutes.  Carefully add the sauce to a food processor with the lemon zest and juice, honey and avocado.  Process until it becomes a thick salsa.  Transfer to a bowl and reserve (this is best served slightly warm).

Heat a skillet over medium heat and coat with cooking spray.  Add the fish and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side.  Char the soft tacos in a skillet until they "blister" and soften.  Serve the fish with tortillas alongside and top the fish with cabbage and salsa.

These 2 dishes are very special and you really ought to try them, I promise you won't be disappointed.

Bon Appetit!!!