Turkey Burgers with Smoked Gouda and Apple, Celery and Blue Cheese Slaw

I don't make a lot of burgers at home, but when I do turkey burgers are my favorite! I love many things about turkey burgers. First of all, they are super lean and take on great flavor from anything you add to them. They taste great on a whole wheat bun with lots of veggies, and they satisfy that craving to bite into a big, juicy burger with none of the guilt! I also like that they need to be cooked through, so I don't need to take on the scary job of cooking a beef burger to the perfect medium-doneness. Mostly, they are delicious! I slathered mine with homemade honey mustard and paired them with a creamy, crunchy and flavorful slaw made of celery, granny smith apples and a super easy blue-cheese dressing. Alongside I served sweet potato fries- my favorite accompaniment to any burger!

Turkey Burgers with Smoked Gouda
A satisfying big burger that's good for you too!
Makes 4 burgers.

1 red onion, cut into 1/3 inch-thick slices
1 tomato, cut into 4 slices
1/2 avocado, cut ino 8 slices
4 whole-wheat hamburger buns, split
1 1/2 pounds lean ground turkey
1 tsp. olive oil
1 tsp. garlic hot pepper sauce (such as Crystal's or Tobasco)
1 tsp. Greek or Cajun seasoning (any seasoning salt with work)
1/2 tsp. pepper
4 T. Dijon mustard
1 T. horseradish
1 T. honey
1 tsp. mayo

Preheat a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Drizzle the cut onion slices with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill each side until brown and carmelized. Remove from heat. In the same pan toast the cut sides of the buns, about 30 seconds.

Add the olive oil, hot pepper sauce, seasoning and pepper to the turkey meat, then form into 4 flat patties. Add a little more oil and grill over medium-high heat, turning once, until nearly cooked through. (About 10 minutes.) Top with the Gouda, cover with a lid, and reduce the heat to medium-low. Cook until cheese is melted and burgers are cooked through, about 2 minutes longer.

Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the mustard, horseradish, mayo and honey and stir to combine. Spread the sauce on the toasted buns. Top the bottom bun with the burger, tomato, onions and avocado. Enjoy!

Recipe by Sarah Lang

Apple, Celery and Blue Cheese Slaw
I've featured this recipe before, but it's so good it's back!
Serves 4

3 oz. blue cheese
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup buttermilk
1/2 tsp. sugar
2 granny smith apples
2 stalks celery, thinly sliced

In a medium bowl, using a fork, combine the blue cheese, mayonnaise and buttermilk until thick and lumpy. Add the sugar and refrigerate.

Quarter, core and chop the apples into matchsticks. Add them to the dressing and stir to coat. Add the celery, cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. Yum!

Recipe adapted from Rachael Ray