A Gentle Picnic

What better way to celebrate romance than with a simple, gentle picnic? In order to make the day not too girly, we started with a tour of Live Oak Brewery, which happens every Saturday at noon, free of charge. If you're a beer lover in the Austin area, definitely check it out as their selection is delicious, and the tour is informative and entertaining!

Next we headed to Mayfield Park for the picnic, since my friends Eric and Emily had both recommended it. Located in West Austin near us, this park also has a garden (which wasn't much to look at in February), but does have dozens of peacocks roaming around! Luke got a great picture of one in the trees above us.

Now for the picnic! We had simple sandwiches which were jazzed up with pineapple jam. By now Apron Adventure readers have probably realized I'm a big fan of using jams in cooking (especially fig!) Adding jam is a simple, affordable way to really elevate a meal with little effort. I keep several on hand and they never fail.

Pineapple Turkey and Ham Sandwiches

4 slices sourdough bread
1/3 cup pineapple jam
2 tablespoons dijon mustard
4 slices lean deli ham
2 slices lean deli turkey
2 slices provolone
2 ounces spring greens

Spread the jam evenly on two slices sourdough and the mustard on the other two slices bread. Layer ham, turkey and provolone on the slices with jam, and top with greens. Top with the mustard slices of bread and enjoy!

We enjoyed this with a simple salad from Giada De Laurentiis which was wonderful for a picnic. I was silly and forgot the sun dried tomatoes, but had added basalmic vinegar for a little added zing. Delicious! Paired with a cool glass of viognier, fresh blackberries and homemade chocolate chip pecan cookies, this was a gentle picnic indeed!

Pineapple Turkey Burgers

I love reading my friend and coworker Emily's blog, Cooking Inside the Lines. We both share a passion for cookbooks and food magazines, but she actually takes the time and diligence to follow recipes and rate them. Thankfully, we have similar food tastes, so she does test runs of all the recipes I want to try. Lately she's been on a pineapple jam kick, which I thought would be the perfect topping for one of my favorites, turkey burgers! This one is a bit decadent and not for the weak-hearted :)

Pineapple Turkey Burgers

Burgers:
2 pounds lean ground turkey
2 tablespoons minced red onion
2 tablespoons minced bell pepper
1 tablespoon basalmic vinegar
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley
Salt and pepper to taste
2 ounces goat cheese

Toppings:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 red onion, sliced
1 red bell pepper, sliced
1 green bell pepper, sliced
1 poblano pepper, sliced
1 tablespoon basalmic vinegar
6 whole wheat hamburger buns
1/2 cup pineapple jam
6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled

Preheat a large grill pan or skillet on medium heat. Combine turkey, onion, pepper, vinegar, lemon, parsley and salt and pepper in a bowl. Form into 6 even-sized patties. Divide goat cheese into 6 portions and roll into balls. Place one ball in the middle of each patty and pull meat around it so that the cheese is hidden in the middle. Grill turkey burgers about 10 minutes on each side, or until the inside is no longer pink.

Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a large skillet and saute onion and peppers on medium heat for about 5 minutes. Add basalmic vinegar and cook another 3 minutes. Toast hamburger buns and spread pineapple jam on each side. Top with a burger patty and basalmic glazed vegetables. Finally, add some crumbled bacon. Then listen to all the yummy noises made at your table :)

I served these with Guy Fieri's Sofrito Mashed Potatoes- love them!