I remember the first time John and I went down to Long Island to see my family.  We had a half day to hang out ourselves.  We drove around to some of my favorite places and then I asked him where he wanted to eat lunch.  I had all sorts of ideas but his one suggestion stopped me in my tracks "White Castle".  I said, really?  But, as he reminded me, we don't have White Castle in New England.

John, growing up in Connecticut, used to love White Castle but since they moved to Maine when he was 9 years old, he feels like they are a special treat.  A few weeks ago, I was going through my pictures (I am still trying to decorate this apartment) and one of them was John at White Castle with a huge smile on his face.  I immediately began brainstorming a way to make my own White Castle. 

When I came upon this copycat recipe, I loved how easy it was, and how much it really did look like a White Castle Burger!  When I surprised John with them, he couldn't have been happier!  It was the perfect game day appetizer.  Also, the only square buns that I could find were potato rolls; I realize they aren't exactly White Castle, but they did taste good!
White Castle Burgers
Serves:  3 (9 sliders)
1 onion, diced
2/3 pounds ground turkey
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
9 slices cheddar cheese
9 dinner rolls
9 slices of pickles

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.  Spray the bottom of a 9x9 pan with cooking spray.  Add the diced onion to the bottom.  Top with turkey (use your hands to get it all the way to the end in an inch-thick patty).  Season with salt and pepper.  Bake for 15-20 minutes until turkey is fully cooked.  Place the cheese slices on the bottom of each bun.  Cut into square patties.  Use a spatula to pick up the patty (and the onions underneath) and flip it onto the bun.  Top with a pickle and serve.

I bought a large cheddar cheese block and cut the slices to fit the buns.  I also bought a large dill pickle (the ones that age in the wooden barrels near the deli section of your supermarket).  I just sliced that into thin slices (or not so thin, since I love pickles!).

These also would have been heavenly with ketchup which we don't have currently because I am still trying to replenish the condiments that we left at the old apartment.  It didn't hurt the taste though; they really were INCREDIBLE.

Until the next time my oven is on...