Sausage and Peppers is one of those quintessential summer sandwiches. The aroma is so distinctive – if you’ve ever had one, you know exactly what I mean. Nonetheless, I gave up pork sausage years ago because the fat content is so high that it’s almost impossible to justify eating it.

This makeover of the classic is a great example of how to work the nostalgic flavors into your summer plans without wavering in your commitment to a healthy lifestyle. This calls for buns and cheese, but you could omit either if you prefer.

Turkey “Sausage & Peppers” Burger

serves 4

Ingredients:

1 sweet onion, halved and thinly sliced
1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced (use red or yellow if you’d prefer but the flavor will be sweeter)
1 Tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
12 ounces ground turkey (I like 93% lean)
2 links Italian turkey sausage, casings removed
1/4 cup dry breadcrumbs
1 teaspoon fennel seeds (optional)
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
4 slices provolone cheese
4 small whole-wheat hamburger buns, toasted

Directions:

1.  Place a grill basket on one side of grill.  Preheat to medium-high.

2.  Toss onion, bell pepper, oil, 1/2 tsp oregano, 1/2 tsp basil, and pepper in large bowl.  Transfer to the preheated grill basket and  cook until the vegetables are tender, about 12 minutes..

3.  In a separate bowl, combine ground turkey, sausage, breadcrumbs, fennel seeds, garlic powder and the remaining oregano and basil.  Shape into four “burgers”.

4. Oil the grill, place the burgers directly on the rack, and cook for 4 minutes.  Turn them once, top with the grilled vegetables and cheese; continue grilling until the burgers are cooked through and the cheese is melted, 4 to 6 minutes more.  Serve on buns.

No-Bake Energy Bites

Ingredients:

• 1 cup old fashioned rolled oats
• 3/4 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
• ½ cup ground flaxseed (you’ll find this in the organic section with the alternate flours)
• ½ cup mini chocolate chips
• ½ cup raisins
• ½ cup peanut butter (or almond butter or sunflower seed butter)
• ⅓ cup honey
• 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

1. In a bowl, stir together oatmeal, coconut flakes, flax seed, mini chocolate chips and raisins.
2. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the peanut butter, honey and vanilla till smooth.
3. Pour peanut butter mixture into dry ingredients and mix with a spoon or your hands until thoroughly blended. it will look like granola at this stage.
4. Let chill in the refrigerator for at least half an hour. Once chilled, roll mixture into balls and store in an airtight container. These will keep refrigerated for up to 1 week.