Kalamata Olives & Havarti Chicken Burgers with Oregano Fried Potatoes

I know...a weird combination but they were actually very tasty(even though the olives look like cherries in the picture). However, if I make these again, I'll probably make a couple of changes.

1. Use a regular grill vs. my indoor one(it was raining and I didn't feel like standing outside). By the time I got decent grill marks on my burgers, they were a little dried out.

2. Use a slightly less olives. Kalamata olives are VERY potent and you have to really like their flavor or it could be a little too much.

Kalamata Olives & Havarti Chicken Burgers
1 lb. Ground Chicken
2oz. Havarti Cheese, diced in small pieces
1 tbsp. Fresh Rosemary, chopped
12 Kalamata Olives, pitted and chopped
1 Clove Garlic
2 tbsp. Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Mix all ingredients together until well blended and form 4 patties. Grill until internal temperature reaches a minimum of 165 degrees. Serves 4.





Next, I was in the mood for some french fries with our burgers so instead of the traditional way, I cut them up into small cubes, fried them, then tossed them in a mixture of salt, pepper and oregano...Yum!

Oregano Fried Potatoes
5-6 Medium Russet Potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2" cubes
1/2 c. Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1/2 c. Canola Oil
2 tsp. Kosher Salt
1/4 tsp. Dried Oregano
1/4 tsp. Fresh Ground Pepper

In a large frying pan, heat the oil and add the potatoes. Allow potatoes to get golden brown, remove from the oil and drain on paper towels or a brown paper bag to remove excess oil. In a separate bowl, mix together your seasonings and add the cooked potatoes. Toss well. Serves 4.

Enjoy!

Spinach and Havarti Frittata

As I've mentioned once before, a frittata is simply a fluffy omelette partially cooked in an oven-safe frying pan then finished off in the oven. I actually prefer to make my eggs this way when we are in the mood for an omelette.  I like that you can make a large quantity and serve many people with one type of egg dish instead of making scrambled eggs for one and dippy eggs for another (our term for over-easy because you can dip your bread or bacon into the yolk). If you're like me and my family, we eat a light breakfast during the week (cereal, toast, fruit, etc) but on Sunday mornings, we splurge and want a big breakfast. I usually do most of the cooking myself which is another reason why I like to make this because I can start it off then while it's in the oven, I can prepare our toast or cut up some fruit to go along with it. 

Spinach and Havarti Frittata
5 Eggs
2/3 Cup Chopped Frozen Spinach, thawed and drained
2 oz. Havarti Cheese
1/3 Cup Milk (I use 2%)
1 tsp. Butter
Preheat oven to 350°F. Crack the eggs into a medium bowl and whisk until all of the yolks have broken. Add the spinach and the milk and mix well. In a small oven safe frying pan (like stainless steel), melt butter over medium heat and add your egg mixture. Add in your cheese and gradually scrape the eggs towards the center of the pan until it is halfway cooked. Place the entire pan into the oven and bake for 5-7 minutes. Remove from oven using a pot holder (handle will be hot!). Serves 2. 


Enjoy!