Chicken Or Turkey Spanakopita Burgers And Fries With Yogurt Dip Food

FRIED CHICKEN WITH BLACK PEPPER GRAVY

Steps:

• For the chicken: Whisk together the flour, baking powder, mustard powder, paprika, garlic and onion powders, cayenne and 1 teaspoon salt in a large mixing bowl. Whisk together the buttermilk, hot sauce and vinegar in a second bowl.
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Line a second baking sheet with a cooling rack.
• Place the chicken on the parchment-lined baking sheet. Sprinkle both sides generously with salt and pepper.
• Working with one hand dedicated to the flour mixture and one hand dedicated to the buttermilk, dredge the chicken thoroughly in the flour mixture. Shake each piece individually to make sure it is fully coated and any excess flour is released. Place in the buttermilk mixture and toss gently to coat. Place the chicken back into the flour mixture to dredge again. Remove from the flour mixture and place on the parchment-lined baking sheet. (Reserve flour mixture.)
• Place a large cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Add the vegetable shortening to the skillet and heat until melted. Once all the shortening has turned to liquid, add oil to the skillet until it comes up 1 inch from the rim. Attach a deep-frying thermometer to the skillet and preheat the oil to 350 degrees F.
• Carefully add half the chicken to the oil. This will cause the temperature to decrease, so adjust the heat to maintain 325 degrees F. Fry the chicken, flipping only once halfway through, until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the meat, avoiding bone, registers 170 degrees F, 14 to 18 minutes. Remove the chicken to the cooling rack. Sprinkle with kosher salt and set aside; fry the remaining chicken.
• For the gravy: Transfer 1/4 cup of the frying oil to another cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Whisk in 1/4 cup of the flour mixture used to dredge the chicken. Cook until a smooth paste is formed, 2 to 3 minutes. While whisking continuously, pour in the milk. Simmer until the sauce thickens and can easily coat the back of a spoon, about 8 minutes. Season with salt, pepper and hot sauce. Pour the gravy over the fried chicken.

YOGURT DIP

Steps:

• Drain the yogurt in cheesecloth or paper towel for a short while so it thickens even more. Place the yogurt in a bowl, add the remaining ingredients and mix together.

CHICKEN POT PIE BURGERS

Steps:

• Melt 2 tablespoons of the butter in a cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Add the celery, carrot, shallot, chicken bouillon, celery seeds and 1/4 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 7 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl and let cool to room temperature.
• Meanwhile, melt the 2 remaining tablespoons butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour and garlic powder and cook, whisking, 1 minute. Gradually add 1 cup milk and bring to a simmer, whisking constantly. Continue to simmer, whisking constantly, until thickened, about 2 minutes. Add the peas, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a generous amount of pepper. Take off the heat and keep warm, covered.
• Mix the panko into the cooked vegetables and mix in the remaining 2 tablespoons milk; let stand 5 minutes. Add the ground chicken, 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of black pepper. Form into four 3/4-inch-thick patties. Spray the cast-iron skillet and patties with nonstick spray. Heat the skillet over medium-high heat, then place the patties in the skillet sprayed-side down and spray the tops of the patties. Reduce the heat to medium, then cover and cook for 2 minutes. Flip the patties and cook, uncovered, until cooked all the way through and the centers are firm, about 2 more minutes. Serve on buns topped with the pea gravy and with extra gravy on the side.

PAN-FRIED CHICKEN WITH TOMATO & OLIVE SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large non-stick frying pan, then season the chicken and fry, flattest-side down, for 4-5 mins. Turn the chicken over, add the onion and cook 4-5 mins more. Lift the chicken from the pan and set aside. Add the garlic to the pan, then continue cooking until the onions are soft.
• Tip in the tomatoes with the balsamic vinegar, olives, stock, half the basil and seasoning, then simmer, stirring frequently, for 7-8 mins until pulpy. Return the chicken and any juices to the pan and gently simmer, covered, for 5 mins more, to cook the chicken through. Serve scattered with the rest of the basil.

SPANAKOPITA BURGERS

Steps:

• Make the tzatziki sauce first so the flavors have a chance to meld. If you drain the yogurt first, your sauce will be super thick and delicious. Combine all sauce ingredients, stir well and refrigerate.
• You can either buy drained yogurt (known as Greek, Hungarian or Bulgarian yogurt, and maybe you can find it under other names, it's all the same, and it's very thick) or drain your own. I drain mine by putting it into a coffee filter over a deep container and popping it into the refrigerator for about 24 hours. All of the liquid will drain out and the yogurt will be super thick. I start with 16 ounces and it drains down to about 8 or 10 ounces, which is perfect for the 4 patties the recipe makes. Discard the liquid.
• To paste the garlic, mince it finely then add a bit of salt to the pile. Lay your blade flat on top of the pile and, with the heel of your hand, apply pressure and push down and away. The salt will act as an abrasive and break the bits of garlic down. After a couple of minutes of this, the garlic will be a paste. Once the garlic is a paste, it will go all through the yogurt smoothly without leaving chunks.
• Now, to the patties. In a large mixing bowl, combine ground chicken, onion, and garlic. Squeeze all the water out of the spinach and separate it as you add it to the bowl. Crumble the feta cheese into the bowl. Add the breadcrumbs, egg, steak seasoning, salt and 1 tbsp of olive oil. Mix it all together so that all the ingredients are evenly distributed, but don't overwork it.
• Form the mixture into 4 patties and drizzle each with the remaining olive oil, turning to coat both sides.
• Brown the patties in a medium hot skillet, about 6 minutes on the first side, and about 4 minutes on the 2nd side. You're looking for a nice brown color on each side. To get the best color, once you put them in the skillet, don't move them until you're ready to flip. Your nose will tell you when they're ready.
• If you use a non-stick skillet, the olive oil you've drizzled over the patties will be sufficient and there will be no need to add more oil to the skillet.
• Warning! Your house will smell phenomenal!
• Serve the patties with a Greek salad, some warm pita bread, and the tzatziki on the side.

RACHAEL RAY'S SPANAKOPITA BURGERS

Steps:

• Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat.
• To one side, add a little extra-virgin olive oil and a tablespoon of butter.
• When butter melts, add the chopped garlic and chopped red onion and cook 5 minutes. Transfer the onions and garlic to a bowl to cool.
• Return pan to heat.
• Squeeze all the water out of the thawed spinach.
• Separate the spinach as you add it to the bowl with cool onions, garlic and season with 1 teaspoon of oregano.
• Add in feta crumbles then chicken or turkey, grill seasoning and a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil.
• Mix and form into 4 patties, 1-inch thick.
• Raise heat on pan to medium-high.
• Add patties and cook 6 minutes on each side.

CHICKEN OR TURKEY SPANAKOPITA BURGERS AND FRIES WITH YOGURT DIP

Steps:

• Preheat oven to directions on the package and bake fries until crisp.
• Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. To one side, add a little extra-virgin olive oil and a tablespoon of butter. When butter melts, add the chopped garlic and chopped red onion and cook 5 minutes. Transfer the onions and garlic to a bowl to cool. Return pan to heat.
• Wring the defrosted spinach dry buy twisting it in a clean kitchen towel over your sink. Separate the spinach as you add it to the bowl with cool onions, garlic and season with 1 teaspoon of oregano. Add in feta crumbles then chicken or turkey, grill seasoning and a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil. Mix and form into 4 patties, 1-inch thick. Raise heat on pan to medium-high. Add patties and cook 6 inches on each side.
• Season the sliced cucumbers and tomatoes with salt and pepper. Toast rolls, if you prefer.
• Place remaining chopped cucumber, the crushed clove of garlic, yogurt, 1 teaspoon oregano and juice of 1/2 lemon in a food processor. Add a little salt and process the sauce until smooth. Transfer to a small dish and serve with the fries as a dipping sauce. Rinse out the processor bowl and return to base.
• Place red peppers, parsley and olives in food processor, season with salt and pepper and process until a paste forms. Place cooked burgers on roll bottoms. Top the burgers with sliced cucumber, tomato, reserved red onions, shredded arugula and hot peppers, if using. Slather roll tops with red pepper and olive paste and serve with chips of choice.