Blue Cheese Mini Chicken Burgers – Fruit Beer

Blue Cheese Mini Chicken Burgers

Weight watchers points – 2-3/burger depending on size

Servings – about 8 burgers, 2/person depends on size

4-8 - Sandwich thins (depending on size of burgers and ability to cut into smaller sizes)

12 oz raw lean ground chicken

4 T blue cheese

4 T Sweet BBQ Sauce

4 T Grill seasoning

2 T hot sauce

Sweet BBQ Sauce:

1/2 c ketchup
1,5 T Splenda brown sugar blend
1.5 T apple cider vinegar
.5 T worchestershire
.5 T lemon juice
2 t Dijon mustard
Dash of louisiana hot sauce
Dash of onion powder
Dash of garlic powder
Dash of pepper

1.      Mix together in bowl all ingredients for BBQ sauce

2.      Heat on stove for 30-60 minutes to let flavor meld

3.      Place ground chicken into bowl, add grill seasoning and hot sauce, mix to combine

4.      Form chicken into mini patties

5.      Place on grill or in plan on stove top

6.      Cook a few mins on each side, until cooked through

7.      Cut sandwich thins into smaller buns to fit mini burgers

8.      Put ½ T of BBQ sauce on top of burger

9.      Put ½ T ofblue cheese on top of burger

10.  Place burger between buns and enjoy.

I am definitely still making lots of summer recipes.  Recipes that are great for parties and light.  I made Chicken Tikka Masala the other day and decided meals like that are better for winter.  So I am sticking with grilling and fresh ideas.  I am also still sticking with summer beers. 

My choice for this meal is Pyramid Apricot Weizen Ale.  I do not think I have talked about Pyramid before.  Pyramid is from Seattle, Washington.  Those of you who have visited Seattle or live in Seattle, know that Seattle knows how to make good beer.  The Weizen Ale has nice subtle flavors of apricots for sweetness which balances well with the hoppiness of the ale. 

Summer Rolls with Thai Peanut Sauce - Hefeweizen

Summer Rolls w. Thai peanut sauce
Weight watcher points – 1/roll, 2/roll w. sauce
Servings – 8 rolls

Summer Roll
1 ounce rice noodles, cooked based on instructions on box
4 circle or square rice papers
1 c chopped romaine lettuce
3 T chopped mint
3 T chopped basil
3 T chopped cilantro
½ c shredded carrots

1. Mix together lettuce, herbs and carrots
2. Soak one rice paper in warm water for 30 second until soft and pliable
3. Place flat on clean working surface
4. Place ¼ of the rice noodles near bottom of paper, keeping 2 inch border at bottom and 1 inch of each side
5. Place ¼ of lettuce, herb and carrot mixture on top of noodles
6. Fold sides in and then starting at bottom roll up rice paper into roll
7. On angle cut summer roll in half

Thai Peanut Sauce
1 t garlic
1/2 t red pepper flakes
1 T onion powder
4 T Water
1 T light natural creamy peanut butter
½ T hoisin sauce

1. Combine all ingredients in sauce pan and heat for 2-3 minutes until combined.



These summer rolls are great as a patio snack. There is a little heat in the peanut sauce, but generally these are a nice light summer appetizer, snack or side dish. Lighter foods go great with Hefewiezen which are great summer beers. I recommend Pyramid Ales Hefeweizen, their brewery is out of Washington. Its refreshing, smooth and light. A great beer for a hot day on the patio with light foods such as salads, light seafood and vegtables. It has a wheat and subtle fruity taste.