Trick for Perfect Burger

Americans consume over 50 billion hamburgers a year. We bake and grill them. But did you know there is a way to keep the patty from puffing up like a ball and losing its patty shape? 

I have spent years wondering why my burger patties shrunk and baked into a ball.

So I read the one easy not to be skipped step is taking a teaspoon or using your thumb to make a dent or dimple in the middle of the patty before cooking.  When the burger cooks, the dimple slowly rises to give you a flat even burger as the fat distributes while cooking.

Trust me it works 😉

Grilling Bloody Mary Burgers This Weekend

For all Bloody Mary lovers, here is a burger just for you. Summer is still in full swing and the grill is ready. The easy to make Aioli makes the perfect topper for this delicious burger. 

To make the burgers mix together in a large bowl 1 lb. ground beef, 1 tablespoon minced onion, 1/8 teaspoon Tabasco, 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, 2 tablespoons seasoned breadcrumbs, 2 tablespoons of your favorite Bloody Mary mix, a sprinkle of cayenne pepper if desired, salt and pepper to taste. Form into 4 patties.

Aioli ingredients are 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1/2 teaspoon celery seed, 1/4 teaspoon minced garlic, sprinkle of cayenne pepper,  1 tablespoon Bloody Mary mix, 1 teaspoon vodka (can be omitted), 5 drops of Worcestershire sauce, 3 drops Tabasco sauce.  Mix all the Aioli ingredients together with an emulsion blender or regular blender until smooth and place it in the fridge until you're ready to serve.

Place the patties on your preheated grill for 7-8 minutes, then flip for another 7-8 or until done.  

Place sliced tomatoes on the bottom bun, top with the burger, spoon on the special Aioli sauce, top bun. 

Special skewers of garnishes will really make your Bloody Mary burgers extra special. 

Make skewers ahead of time on wooden skewers you find in the liquor section of the grocery store.  My favorites are kosher dill, stuffed olives with blue cheese, cubed cheddar or jack cheese, salami slices, or crispy bacon slices.  Happy Weekend friends.

Photo credit: An Affair from the Heart

Blue Cheese Compound for Grilled Burgers and Steaks

This easy to make blue cheese topper will take your burgers and steaks to the next level of awesome.

Compound butter is typically butter rolled into cylinder shape and chilled.  Take a large bowl, 4 sticks (1 lb.) softened butter, and 6 ounces crumbled blue cheese.

You can cream the mixture together with the paddle attachment of your stand mixer or blend well with your hands.  Spread it out on a large square of plastic wrap, place the butter in the middle. Roll into a cylinder inside the wrap, tie each end with a knot, and chill or freeze until needed.  

 

Happy Grilling!

Cheese Inside the Burger

Summer weather is here and all our grills are seeing lots of action. Does the cheese always slide off your burger when you are ready to place them on the buns?  Just melts right off!

If this doesn't get your taste buds going, nothing will.  Melted cheese inside the burger. American, cheddar or pepper jack cheeses are the tastiest.  Always purchase beef chuck with a high fat content for a tastier and moister burger. 

For 4 Burgers: (preheat grill to medium heat)

1 1/4 lbs. round chuck

2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

1/2 tsp garlic powder

In a large bowl, combine the ground chuck, Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper and blend well.  Divide into eight 1/4 inch patties.  When the grill is ready, using grill tongs, dip several pieces of paper towels in vegetable oil and rub on grill grates to coat.  

Place the burger in your hand, place folded slice of cheese in the center of the burger, and place another on top of the cheese.  Pinch the edges to form a seal.  When all four burgers are formed, place on the oiled grill grates and grill 3-4 minutes with the lid closed.  Flip with a spatula and grill another 4 minutes.  Remove from the grill and let the burgers rest on a plate with a loosely placed tent foil over them.  This will distribute the juice and cheese evenly.  

Meanwhile, place the buns of your choice on the grill for 2 minutes before serving.  I love Ciabatta buns for the crispness they offer.  Serve the burgers with sliced pickle on top and a light amount of mayonnaise and there's no turning back!

Easy Baked Burger Sliders

When I'm in a hurry for an easy meal that I can put in the oven and let it bake while I catch up on other household tasks, I use this baked burger sliders recipe.  Basically toss your ground beef (or ground turkey if you prefer) into a large bowl, add seasonings of salt, pepper, onion salt, and I always use a couple shakes of The Spice House Back of the Yards.  It adds such great flavor to steaks, chicken and burgers.  It's ingredients include tellicherry pepper (a super flavorful pepper), garlic, salt, shallots, bell peppers and parsley all freshly ground in a jar!  Check The Spice House out online for flavorful spices and recipes that are guaranteed to enhance your cooking and baking.

If I am feeding 5-6, I pat the burger mixture into a lightly sprayed pan.  If you're cooking for 1-2 people, I suggest using a brownie size pan.  Place into a preheated 350 degree oven and bake about 45-50 minutes or until they look done.  If you're adding cheese, top with cheese and place back into the oven for a minute until it's melted.  Using your pizza cutter, cut the burgers into squares and serve them on slider buns found in the bread aisle at your grocer.

Great sides are pasta salad, either homemade or store bought, baked beans, green beans or corn on the cob. I hope you enjoy this easy supper tonight!

Grilling an Easy Blue Cheese Burger

My last summer grill post is a favorite of mine.  My husband is a big fan of blue cheese on burgers and steaks, so I thought I would post this easy blue cheese burger that has a flavor and personality of its own that you will enjoy.

In a bowl mix crumbled blue cheese, a teaspoon of Worcestershire, a pinch of black pepper and salt.  Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours.

Shape ground hamburger into patties.  Grill burgers over a medium heat on your grill, flipping once until your desired doneness is reached.

Top with the blue cheese mixture before you remove the burgers until it's slightly melted.  Remove and serve on buns of choice and your favorite side.

Next week is the return of slow cooker featuring pumpkin chili!

Burger Basics

Before you fire up the grill tonight, here are a few helpful tips to making awesome burgers.  Check out the tasty horseradish mayonnaise recipe below.

Season Inside

To thoroughly flavor your meat throughout, spread the ground beef (or ground turkey) on a platter.  Add 2 tablespoons steak sauce, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper and 1/3 cup finely chopped onion .  Mix together with your hands.  Don't knead too much.

Form Patties

Divide mixture into four balls and flatten each into a patty. 1 1/2 lbs. ground beef will make approximately 4 burgers.

Dimple

Press lightly with your fingers to form a slight indentation in the center of each patty.  This will help the burger cook evenly.

Burger to Grill

Easiest way to transport burgers is to place hamburger patties on a wax paper covered platter.  After you have put your burgers on the grill, toss the waxed paper and you have a great platter to place your cooked burgers on.  ALWAYS toss the wax paper raw meat was placed on and do not reuse!

Resist the Urge to Press

We have all done it.  Pressing the burger on the grill with your spatula to speed the cooking along.  The only thing you will accomplish is releasing the juices and producing a dryer burger.  Have patience..resist the press.  It's worth the wait:)

What are some of your favorite toppings?  I love Horseradish so Horseradish Mayonnaise is a favorite topper of mine!  In a small bowl, combine 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 2 teaspoons prepared horseradish and juice of half a lemon.  Sprinkle with a dash of salt and black pepper if desired.  

Thanks for stopping!

Brinner Burger

Photo credit Sean Cooley

A hot idea in grilling is serving up grilled burgers topped with a fried egg and crispy bacon.  Breakfast and dinner rolled into one...."Brinner".  

In Virginia they are called Gus Burgers. Others call this dish Eggs on Horseback or Humpty Dumpty.  

Whatever name you choose to call it, it will be delicious. I use the following ingredients and grill the burgers on the outdoor or indoor grill.  It's just a matter of convenience to grill indoors when I lack time. 

Applewood smoked bacon (my personal favorite), ground beef, onion salt, sea salt and black pepper for taste, Brioche round buns, melted butter, organic egg, sharp cheddar cheese slices, baby arugula or iceberg lettuce and avocado (if desired).

Crisp cook the bacon in a frying pan. (You can cook the bacon a day in advance to save time and keep in refrigerator until ready to use). 

Season the ground beef patties with salt, pepper and onion salt to taste. Grill until cooked through. Place slice of cheddar on each burger and melt slightly. 

Lightly brush the inside of the buns with melted butter and grill or toast buns.

Pan fry the eggs over medium heat until the whites are set, flip until the eggs are set.

Assembly: bun, iceberg lettuce or arugula, burger, cheddar, bacon, egg, bun and top with sliced tomatoes, onion, or avocado. Serve with a pickle on the side and a choice of hot sauce, cocktail sauce or ketchup.

~ENJOY~

Serve Yourself Burger and Hot Dog Bar

Lakehouselyn photo

Nothing says summer like hot dogs and burgers on the grill. A serve yourself bar is the simplest way to entertain.  With some make ahead preparations,  you can be a guest at your own party while your guests serve themselves.  

Basics like mustard, ketchup, pickles and relish of course.  

Crank it up with hot sauce, sliced tomatoes, sliced cucumbers, peach salsa, grilled peppers and onions, shredded cheddar, crumbled bacon, guacamole and don't forget the celery salt!

The day before this event, I  made the potato salad, macaroni salad, fruit salad and the day of, I put together baked beans in the slow cooker.  Serve it up with iced waters, beers, and our favorite, chilled Sangria.  You can make your own or buy bottled in the liquor department of your favorite market.

Happy Weekend

Caesar Salad Burger and It's Blogolicious:)

Recipe/Photo Six Sisters

Start the grill and get ready for goodness.  Wait until you try this Caesar Salad burger tonight!  A meal the whole family will enjoy.  Even if they aren't a fan of turkey burgers, they will enjoy this burger.  (You can use beef).

10 minutes prep. 10 minutes cook time.  Serves 4

Ingredients:  1 lb. ground turkey or beef, 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon garlic salt, chopped romaine lettuce, 4 tablespoons Caesar salad dressing, 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese, 4 burger buns

Mix together the turkey, 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese and garlic salt.  Shape into four patties.  Grill for about 5 minutes on each side.  Top each burger wit romaine lettuce, salad dressing and Parmesan cheese to taste.  Serve hot.

Serve with your favorite side.  Sweet potato fries, fresh fruit salad or potato salad would complete this nicely.  Enjoy and Happy Tuesday!