For those of you experiencing chilly weather and lots of snow…try this hearty and heart-healthy dish!

Bifteki – Greek Style Burgers: By Chef Maria Loi

What We Need:

3/4 lb lean ground beef ¾ lb ground turkey

2 small red onions

1 tomato

1 garlic clove, grated on a microplaner (or very finely minced)

1 egg ½ cup extra virgin olive oil

½ cup whole wheat breadcrumbs (unseasoned)

Extra virgin olive oil, for brushing dried oregano, to taste salt and pepper to taste

What We Do: On the large holes of a box grater, grate the onions and tomato into a large mixing bowl. Add your garlic, egg, and extra virgin olive oil, and season to taste with pepper, and oregano and very lightly with salt. Add the ground beef and half the breadcrumbs, mixing thoroughly to just combine, being careful not to overwork the meat (this will result in a tough and dense burger). If the mixture is too loose, continue to add the rest of the breadcrumbs until the mix solidifies. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes to allow the mix to rest and the flavors to marry. Form the mixture into rounded patties the size of your choice, brush with olive oil, and season lightly with salt and with pepper to taste. Heat a sauté pan over medium-high heat, add a touch of olive oil just to coat the pan, and cook the burgers for 2 minutes per side to sear and lock in flavor. Remove from the sauté pan to a parchment lined sheet tray, and bake at 375 F for approximately 20 minutes for medium doneness, with an internal temperature of approximately 140 F. (You can continue cooking according to your taste and doneness preference or grill or pan-fry the burgers). When the burgers are cooked to your liking, remove from the oven and allow them to rest for 5 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute. Season with a touch of dried oregano, and serve with a fresh green salad – ENJOY!