Pan-fried Turkey Burgers and THE BEST Spicy Yam Fries EVER

Turkey burgers can be tricky because they can become dry pretty easily; and nobody likes a dry burger. This recipe makes a fool-proof moist burger and is the healthiest fix for 'burgers and fries' that you've ever had (esp. considering the yam fries are baked, not fried). This recipe makes two burgers and enough fries for two people.

Ingredients for Turkey Burgers:

• 1/2 pound ground turkey
  
• few slices tomato
  
• few leaves lettuce
• whole-wheat buns (or whatever you prefer)
• two cloves of garlic, finely minced
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon cajun seasoning
  
• two tablespoons of good olive oil
  
• condiments, such as ketchup, mayo, and mustard
• few slices of smoked-chedder cheese, optional

Ingredients for Spicy Yam Fries:

• one large (or two medium) garnet yam
• 1/2-1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  
• pinch of cayenne
  
• pinch of paprika powder
• 2-3 tablespoons of good olive oil

Although you can use any kind of olive oil you have lying around, I can't tell you how much good quality olive oil makes a difference in the overall taste of this meal. Try it, it's worth it!

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
   
2. Slice yam into 1/4 inch fries, then lay out on a cookie sheet in a single layer. Drizzle 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil evenly on fries. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, paprika and cayenne; toss to coat.
   
3. Bake in oven, flipping every 15 minutes, until golden on outside, about 30 minutes.
   
4. In the meantime, in a large bowl, mix one tablespoon of olive oil, minced garlic, salt, pepper, cajun seasoning and ground turkey, using your hands to combine the ingredients together. Form into two patties.
   
5. Cook patties in a frying pan coated with remaining olive oil over medium-high heat, 5-6 minutes on each side. When in doubt, apply pressure from the back of a spatula onto one of the patties. If firm, meat will be thoroughly cooked through; if the patty is a bit squishy then the meat is still undercooked.
   
6. Half way through cooking the patties, lay thin slices of cheese on burger buns and place in toaster oven. (If you don't have a toaster oven, you can melt the cheese on the patties during the last 5 minutes of cooking).
7. Remove yam fries from oven and let sit for 5 minutes (this last step is very important if you want crispy, not mushy fries).
   
8. Assemble turkey burgers in whatever fashion you prefer, and serve with yam fries alongside.