Red, White, Blue and Brie Burgers

Happy Birthday, America!

I'm a little late at this point, but a 3-day weekend of partying and a 4-day work week really did me in!  Last weekend was one of the most fun weekends of my life, complete with a block party, a polo match, and a party in the middle of the Pacific Ocean - literally!  It's called "floatilla" and it's a ton of boats, rafts, and even a live band on a boat!  That said, all week I've been sleepy and busy and haven't made time to blog.

Last weekend, to celebrate our country's birth, I made an American classic - Rice Krispie Treats.  To make them festive I considered sticking lit sparklers in each one, but decided instead for the safer option of red and blue peanut M & M's!  

Ok, so really I made "Crispy Rice" Treats.  Here's something you should know about Hawaii, if you don't already - it's expensive.  Rent is a small fortune, gas prices make you want to vomit, and food will literally cost you half of each paycheck.  The real deal Rice Krispies cereal cost $6.99 a box!  The cheaper, knock-off Crispy Rice was on sale for $3.50.  I know what you're thinking, and yes, they still snap-crackle-popped the same!

I wasn't so cost savvy when I bought the huge bag of M & M's!  I separated them into 2 bowls: red and blue in 1, "all others" in the other!

I don't have a recipe for these, it's on the marshmallow bag and on the cereal box!  You know the deal: melt butter and mallows, add cereal, mix, shape - done.

These were just as sticky, crispy, and delicious as expected!  Nobody knew I bought cheap cereal.  It's actually quite humorous to see how excited adults get about these treats!  It's like telling kids they have a snow day, it's that exciting!

Keeping with American tradition, I also made burgers for the grill!  Not just any burgers, Brie Stuffed Mini Turkey Burgers.

Brie Stuffed Mini Turkey Burgers
from Black Girl Chef's Whites, with some changes

1 pound ground turkey
1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
2 cloves of garlic, chopped
Salt & pepper
Mini buns If you can find King's Hawaiian Savory Butter rolls, go for it!

And, of course, brie cheese!  It's my absolute favorite cheese in the world.

In a large bowl, mix the turkey, poultry seasoning, garlic, salt and pepper.  Portion the turkey into 1/4 cup patties.  Flatten each portion and top with a small piece of brie.

Fold the turkey meat around the brie and form into an appropriate burger shape.  Be careful to make sure that the meat is surrounding the brie so it doesn't escape!

I packed them up and took them to the polo field to grill there, and also brought some onions along.  Here I am manning the grill!

These burgers were so yummy and my friends ate them up in a matter of minutes!  The poultry seasoning gives them a nice warm flavor and the brie is just decadent.  The only thing that can make these better is more brie!  This recipe was perfect for a long day spent with friends - mess and plate free and not too much food.  If anyone knows how to prevent over eating at a BBQ, please let me know!

We had a great time at polo and a great weekend overall, since America is the land of the free!  

Awesome skydiver between polo matches - GO USA!