When I first decided I was going to start blogging, I knew in my mind it was going to take commitment. After diligently posting away in the beginning, the days between my post grew longer and longer. Not because I didn’t have super cool and tasty things to share, but because I wasn’t making sure to find the time to write. Cooking and sharing food, restaurant finds, and recipes with family, friends and new friends is something I love, so I am promising myself now that the summer is over…I’M BACK and will do my best to get on here to give you recipes so you can get in your kitchens and whip up some love.
To you give you a quick update since we last chatted…I had a great summer!!! Our trip to Disney was amazing, and I plan on doing a post about the awesome restaurants Disney has to offer. I also was able to relive my trip to DC with my parents and played tour guide for the long weekend (still dreaming about when I will once again return to Founding Farmers…can’t.get.enough! haha) Then I ended the summer with an very relaxing trip down to Ocean City Maryland. My Dad’s uncle has a condo down there and I’m not really sure why we stop going! It was so fun and we had great weather! I also researched my butt off to try and find great foodie destinations among the fried foods that lined the boardwalk. I mean… obviously, I did indulge in salt water taffy and other amazing summer boardwalk treats, but I knew there would be places that offered something a little different and I found some gems!
Then it was time to decorate my classroom and get ready for a new school year to begin! (NO I WANT MORE SUMMER!!) So, now I have been in school for two weeks and getting back into the routine. School Work, dinner, pack lunch, pick out clothes, set alarm, repeat. This means that the all meal planning and food shopping is back to the weekends. We have a few staples for quick and easy dinners and then on Fridays and the weekends I like to try new recipes or cook things that might need a bit more prep work.
Last weekend I found myself flipping through the pages of a Rachael Ray cookbook I received as a gift, I can’t even remember how long ago. Now, usually most of her recipes are not my style, but there were a couple in this book that caught my eye. One being a recipe for Sausage Burgers. It looked and sounded delicious so I suggested we try it. Friday came along and I was ready! The recipe called for Broccoli Rabe which I happen to ADORE! I could just eat it piled high on crusty bread…nom nom nom nom…you must try it if you haven’t!! but shockling… have never made this delicious bitter green! sayyyy whattt?…but it’s so easy!!!! My mom explained how her Aunt used to make it, which was very similar to how the recipe called, and just like that…I did it!!! Do not be afraid my friends. I will now be making broccoli rabe more often without a doubt! Unfortunately, my ground pork was still a bit frozen in the middle, so mom suggested we just cook it “sloppy joe” style instead of making it into burgers. GO MOM! The recipe still came out tasting delicious, but I am sure if I could have made these into burger patties it would have been a home run! Here is the recipe as Rachel has it written, but feel free to make it your own like I did!
Hot Sausage Burgers with Broccoli Rabe and Provolone
Ingredients
1 1/2 to 1 3/4 pounds coarsely ground pork (ask butcher to do this)
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, 1/3 palmful
2 teaspoons smoked sweet paprika, 2/3 palmful
1 1/2 teaspoons ground fennel, fennel pollen or 1 teaspoon fennel seed
1 teaspoon ground sage, 1/3 palmful
1 teaspoon granulated onion, 1/3 palmful
1 teaspoon granulated garlic, 1/3 palmful
Salt
Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling, plus 1 tablespoon
3 tablespoons dark brown sugar
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 cup tomato sauce
Freshly ground black pepper
1 small bundle broccoli rabe, tough ends discarded
1 large or 2 small cloves garlic, finely chopped
A few grates nutmeg
4 thick deli slices sharp provolone cheese
4 ciabatta rolls or other crusty rolls, split
Store-bought olive oil-rosemary or herb flavored fancy potato chips
Directions
In a large bowl, combine the pork, red pepper flakes, paprika, fennel, sage, onion, garlic and salt, to taste. Form the meat into 4 patties, put on a plate and coat with a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil.
Heat a small pot over medium-low heat and add the brown sugar, Worcestershire, vinegar, tomato sauce and black pepper, to taste. Simmer until the mixture becomes a thick steak sauce consistency, about 15 minutes.
Add a couple inches of water to a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, then salt the water and add the broccoli rabe. Cook for 5 minutes, then drain. Transfer the broccoli rabe to a cutting board and chop it into 2-inch pieces. Set aside. Return the skillet to the stove over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of extra-virgin olive oil. Stir in the chopped garlic and the broccoli rabe. Saute for 2 minutes, then season with a few grates of nutmeg, to taste.
Heat a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, add the patties and cook for 5 to 6 minutes on each side. Top the patties with a slice of provolone during the last minute of cook time and tent with foil to melt.
Divide the broccoli rabe on the bottoms of the rolls and top with the cheesy sausage patties. Slather some of the warm sauce on the roll tops and cover the burgers. Serve the burgers on individual plates with a few chips alongside.
Give it a try, maybe you might even want to save some time and make it like I did! An Italian Sloppy Joe! haha…Have a great week everyone! and I can’t wait to start sharing my culinary adventures with you. Fall is in the air and I just want all things pumpkin and comforting!!! Stay tuned…
With love and sugar, Kristen xo.
Kristen a la Carte 