-by Melissa DelaCalzada

*This post is part of San Diego Hospice’s series of healthy recipes for patients. This series will be updated monthly. Feel free to let us know if there is a type of recipe you’d like to see more of.

Whether in your own backyard or at a park, summer in San Diego is the perfect time for grilling. In addition, if you are a caregiver to someone who is home-bound, grilling can provide an outdoor activity without travel. The following healthy recipe features ingredients that include Tryptophan, an essential amino acid that brings feeling of calm and relaxation, and Magnesium, a nutrient essential to good health that helps regulate the absorption of calcium for healthy bones and teeth.

Turkey Burgers with Avocado Salsa
Recipe by Karin Lazarus

Avocado Salsa
1 ripe avocado, finely chopped
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
1 teaspoon minced fresh garlic
1/2 tablespoon plain low-fat yogurt
1/2 small red onion, finely chopped
1 teaspoon ground cumin
Dash of hot pepper sauce
Salt, to taste

Turkey Burgers
1 pound ground turkey breast
2 tablespoons wheat germ
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon minced fresh garlic
1 medium egg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1 large red bell pepper, quartered and seeded
4 cups arugula or mixed greens
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
4 teaspoons unsalted sunflower seeds, toasted

Grilling tip: Turkey tends to be more fragile and may stick to the grill due to its low fat content, so oil the grate before heating, or use foil.

Directions:
1. Thoroughly mix all avocado salsa ingredients in a medium bowl;
set aside.
2. In another medium bowl, combine ground turkey, wheat germ, lemon juice, garlic, egg, salt, and pepper; mix well. Form mixture into four patties.
3. Oil grill grate (or lay a piece of aluminum foil on grill) and heat.
Cook turkey burgers and red pepper quarters for about 4 minutes on each side. Remove; cut grilled red peppers into thin strips.
4. Toss arugula or mixed greens with olive oil and lemon juice; divide among four plates.

Top each with a burger and avocado salsa; garnish with grilled red pepper strips and sunflower seeds. Serve right away.

PER SERVING: 342 cal, 48% fat cal, 19g fat, 3g sat fat, 102mg chol, 32g protein, 15g carb, 6g fiber, 397mg sodium

Source: Delicious Living Magazine