Confessions of a Foodie

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Showing posts with label Grilled Onion Burgers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Grilled Onion Burgers. Show all posts

Monday, September 7, 2026

Labor Day Recipes - Double-Post Monday

It's Labor Day, a day celebrate the labor movement in the United States. And while that is the real reason we celebrate Labor Day on the first Monday in September, it also marks the unofficial end of summer.

Mondays here always have a Meatless Monday post, followed with a Double-Post Monday group of recipes (like this one). Here are six recipes to help you celebrate Labor Day, including Juicy Grilled Cheeseburgers and Egg Potato Salad. Enjoy!

BBQ BAKED BEANS

This is from the Food Network, and begins, "BBQ baked beans are a summer staple. This shortcut version relies on ordinary canned baked beans, which we dress up with fresh peppers, onions, cider vinegar and barbecue sauce. The sweet and tangy side dish is perfect for a summer barbecue, picnic, potluck or weeknight dinner. The beans taste even better the next day, so they can be prepared ahead of time and reheated or served at room temperature."

Active Time: 25 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes; Yield: 6 servings; Level: Easy

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

8 slices bacon (about 8 ounces), cut into 1/2-inch pieces

1 medium yellow onion, diced

1 green bell pepper, seeded and diced

Two 28-ounce cans baked beans

1 cup barbecue sauce

1/4 cup molasses

1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1/3 cup packed dark brown sugar

2 teaspoons yellow mustard powder

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Heat an oven-proof heavy-bottom pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the bacon and cook, stirring often, until the fat has started to render and the bacon is beginning to crisp, about 5 minutes. Add the onions and bell pepper and continue to cook, stirring often, until the vegetables are slightly softened, about 3 minutes.

Stir in the canned beans, barbecue sauce, molasses, vinegar, Worcestershire, brown sugar, mustard powder, cayenne, 1 teaspoon salt and several grinds of black pepper. Bring to a simmer and let cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened slightly, about 5 minutes.

Transfer the pot to the oven and bake (uncovered) until the sauce thickens and the beans on top begin to brown, about 40 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool for at least 15 minutes before serving warm or at room temperature.

BAKED BEANS

This comes from Sam Sifton in The New York Times' Cooking newsletter. Sam writes, “Proper Boston baked beans would have salt pork instead of the bacon. James Beard cooked them with ribs. The key is to use the little white pea beans known as navy beans, and to allow time to do most of the work. (Or to cheat: Canned white beans make fantastic baked beans in about an hour. If you use them, you'll need four 15-ounce cans. Drain and then follow the directions from step 2 on to the end. Please understand that you’ll need much less water and much less time to get them where you want them to be.) The combination of molasses and dry mustard is a taste as old as America itself, and takes well to both ham and soft brown bread.” Makes 6 to 8 servings.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

2 cups navy beans

Salt

1/2 pound slab bacon, cut into cubes

1 medium onion, peeled and chopped

1/3 cup molasses

2 teaspoons dry mustard

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

Preparation

Soak beans in a large bowl of water for 6 hours or overnight. Drain beans and put them in a large oven-safe pot with a heavy bottom and a tightfitting lid. Add 1 teaspoon salt and enough cool water to cover 2 inches above the beans. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer gently, stirring occasionally, until the beans are just tender, approximately 30 to 40 minutes. Drain and remove beans.

Heat the oven to 250 degrees. Bring a kettle full of water to a boil on the stove. Return the heavy-bottomed pot to the stove and turn the heat to medium high. Cook the bacon in the bottom of the pot until it begins to brown, then turn off the heat and add the chopped onion and, on top of it, the beans. Mix together molasses, mustard and black pepper, and add the mixture to the pot. Pour in enough boiling water to cover beans, put the lid on and bake, occasionally adding more water to keep beans covered, until they are tender but not falling apart, 4 to 5 hours.

Remove beans from oven, uncover, stir and season with salt. With the lid off, return pot to oven and let beans finish cooking, uncovered and without additional water, until the sauce has thickened and the top is deeply crusty, about 45 minutes more.

SLOPPY JOE SLIDERS

This comes from FamilyTime.com. It starts off, “Sink your teeth into these mouthwater sliders, that are easy to make and really fun to eat.” Prep. Time: 10 minutes; Cooking Time: 20 minutes; Serves: 8 servings (3 sliders each)

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil

2 large onions, chopped (about 2 cups)

3 pounds ground beef

ketchup or 2 cups barbecue sauce

1 cup French's® Classic Yellow® mustard

1 /2 cup French's® worcestershire sauce

2 packages (15 ounces each) Pepperidge Farm® Mini Sandwich Buns (white or wheat)

Directions

Heat the oil in a 6-quart saucepot over medium heat. Add the onions and cook unitl tender, stirring occasionally.

Increase the heat to medium-high. Add the beef to the saucepot and cook until it's well browned, stirring often to separate meat. Pour off any fat.

Stir the barbecue sauce, mustard and Worcestershire sauce in the saucepot. Reduce the heat to low. Cook until the mixture is hot and bubbling, stirring occasionally. Divide the beef mixture among the buns.

EGG POTATO SALAD

This is my version of potato salad. While there are undoubtedly fancier versions of potato salad, this is the one that my family loves and asks for. While I’d love to say that the leftovers refrigerate well overnight, I wouldn’t know; it never lasts long enough!

Ingredients

5 pounds potatoes (I use regular white potatoes)

6 – 8 eggs

1 – 2 onions, diced

3 – 4 cups mayo (if you usually use a vegetarian version, go for it)

1/2 cup mustard

Directions

Peel potatoes and cube into bite-sized pieces. Place in large pot, cover with cold water, then boil. Once water reaches a boil, turn heat to medium and cook for 20 – 30 minutes. Potatoes should be cooked through, but not mushy.

While potatoes are cooking, place eggs in a pot and cover with cold water and turn stove on high. Once water begins to boil, let boil for 10 minutes. Turn off stove, place pan in sink and run cold water over the eggs to cool off.

Drain potatoes and rinse in cold water. Place in large bowl. Peel and cut up eggs and add to potatoes, along with diced onions. Add mayo and mustard and mix well. Can be served either slightly warmed (now) or, if served later, cooled in refrigerator.

JUICY GRILLED CHEESEBURGERS

This comes from the Food Network Kitchen, and begins, “These quarter-pounders are lightened up with 90-percent lean beef and a mere half-ounce of Cheddar, and they're served on wholesome whole wheat English muffins.”

Total Time: 40 minutes; Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 25 minutes; Yield: 4 servings; Level: Easy.

To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/juicy-grilled-cheeseburgers-recipe-2120370.

Ingredients

Canola oil or nonstick grilling cooking spray, for oiling the grates

1 medium red onion, thinly sliced

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

2 tablespoons ketchup

2 tablespoons yellow mustard

4 whole wheat English muffins, split

1 medium ripe tomato, cored and cut into 4 thick slices

1 pound 90-percent lean ground beef

2 ounces 50-percent reduced-fat sharp Cheddar, grated (about 1/2 cup)

Pickles, for serving, optional

Directions

Heat a grill to medium-high direct heat and lightly oil the grates using a paper towel soaked in canola oil or nonstick grilling cooking spray.

Spread a 16-inch-long piece of nonstick aluminum foil on a cutting board (or mist a piece of regular aluminum foil with nonstick cooking spray). Top with the onions, 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper and 1 tablespoon water. Bring two sides of the foil together, fold over twice to create a seal and then seal the remaining two ends. Put on the grill and cook for 12 minutes, flipping once. The onions should be tender with only a bit of charring. Carefully open the top of the foil to let all the steam out and continue to cook the onions, tossing, until browned and lightly charred, 3 minutes longer. Remove from the heat.

While the onions cook, mix the ketchup and mustard together in a small bowl. Season with pepper and set aside.

Lightly toast the English muffins on the grill and place one top and bottom on each of 4 plates. Spread some of the ketchup sauce on the bottom half of each muffin and top with a slice of tomato.

Divide the beef into 4 patties about 4 inches in diameter and just under 1/2-inch thick. Sprinkle with a total of 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Place the burgers on the grill. Cook until the edges of the burgers are browning, 3 to 5 minutes, and then flip. Brush the burgers with the remaining ketchup sauce and evenly top with the shredded cheese. Cover the burgers with the grill lid or a large heatproof bowl and continue to cook until the cheese has melted and the burgers are still a bit pink on the inside, about 3 minutes more.

Put one burger on top of the assembled muffin bottom and top with some of the grilled onions and the top of the muffin. Serve with pickles if desired.

GRILLED ONION BURGER

Here's a healthier version of a classic burger topped with grilled onions and all the fixings.

Makes 4 servings

Photo & Print Version: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/1223.shtml

Ingredients

1-1/2 pounds 95% lean ground beef

1 large sweet onion, cut crosswise into 1/2-inch thick slices

Vegetable oil

Salt and pepper

4 hamburger buns, split, toasted

Lettuce leaves

Tomato slices

Directions

Lightly shape Ground Beef into four 3/4-inch thick patties. Brush onion slices with oil.

Place patties and onion slices on grid over medium, ash-covered coals. Grill, covered, 11 to 15 minutes (over medium heat on preheated gas grill, 13 to 14 minutes) until instant-read thermometer inserted horizontally into center registers 160F, turning occasionally. Grill onions, 10 to 12 minutes or until tender, brushing with oil and turning occasionally.

Season burgers and onions with salt and pepper as desired.

Line bottom of each bun with lettuce. Place burgers on top of lettuce. Top with tomatoes and grilled onions. Close bun.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 368; Protein: 39 g; Fat: 10 g; Sodium: 324 mg; Saturated Fat: 4 g ; Dietary Fiber: 2 g ; Carbohydrates: 27 g

Monday, September 1, 2025

Labor Day Recipes - Double-Post Monday

It's Labor Day, a day celebrate the labor movement in the United States. And while that is the real reason we celebrate Labor Day on the first Monday in September, it also marks the unofficial end of summer.

Mondays here always have a Meatless Monday post, followed with a Double-Post Monday group of recipes (like this one). Here are six recipes to help you celebrate Labor Day, including Juicy Grilled Cheeseburgers and Egg Potato Salad. Enjoy!

BBQ BAKED BEANS

This is from the Food Network, and begins, "BBQ baked beans are a summer staple. This shortcut version relies on ordinary canned baked beans, which we dress up with fresh peppers, onions, cider vinegar and barbecue sauce. The sweet and tangy side dish is perfect for a summer barbecue, picnic, potluck or weeknight dinner. The beans taste even better the next day, so they can be prepared ahead of time and reheated or served at room temperature."

Active Time: 25 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes; Yield: 6 servings; Level: Easy

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

8 slices bacon (about 8 ounces), cut into 1/2-inch pieces

1 medium yellow onion, diced

1 green bell pepper, seeded and diced

Two 28-ounce cans baked beans

1 cup barbecue sauce

1/4 cup molasses

1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1/3 cup packed dark brown sugar

2 teaspoons yellow mustard powder

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Heat an oven-proof heavy-bottom pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the bacon and cook, stirring often, until the fat has started to render and the bacon is beginning to crisp, about 5 minutes. Add the onions and bell pepper and continue to cook, stirring often, until the vegetables are slightly softened, about 3 minutes.

Stir in the canned beans, barbecue sauce, molasses, vinegar, Worcestershire, brown sugar, mustard powder, cayenne, 1 teaspoon salt and several grinds of black pepper. Bring to a simmer and let cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened slightly, about 5 minutes.

Transfer the pot to the oven and bake (uncovered) until the sauce thickens and the beans on top begin to brown, about 40 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool for at least 15 minutes before serving warm or at room temperature.

BAKED BEANS

This comes from Sam Sifton in The New York Times' Cooking newsletter. Sam writes, “Proper Boston baked beans would have salt pork instead of the bacon. James Beard cooked them with ribs. The key is to use the little white pea beans known as navy beans, and to allow time to do most of the work. (Or to cheat: Canned white beans make fantastic baked beans in about an hour. If you use them, you'll need four 15-ounce cans. Drain and then follow the directions from step 2 on to the end. Please understand that you’ll need much less water and much less time to get them where you want them to be.) The combination of molasses and dry mustard is a taste as old as America itself, and takes well to both ham and soft brown bread.” Makes 6 to 8 servings.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

2 cups navy beans

Salt

1/2 pound slab bacon, cut into cubes

1 medium onion, peeled and chopped

1/3 cup molasses

2 teaspoons dry mustard

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

Preparation

Soak beans in a large bowl of water for 6 hours or overnight. Drain beans and put them in a large oven-safe pot with a heavy bottom and a tightfitting lid. Add 1 teaspoon salt and enough cool water to cover 2 inches above the beans. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer gently, stirring occasionally, until the beans are just tender, approximately 30 to 40 minutes. Drain and remove beans.

Heat the oven to 250 degrees. Bring a kettle full of water to a boil on the stove. Return the heavy-bottomed pot to the stove and turn the heat to medium high. Cook the bacon in the bottom of the pot until it begins to brown, then turn off the heat and add the chopped onion and, on top of it, the beans. Mix together molasses, mustard and black pepper, and add the mixture to the pot. Pour in enough boiling water to cover beans, put the lid on and bake, occasionally adding more water to keep beans covered, until they are tender but not falling apart, 4 to 5 hours.

Remove beans from oven, uncover, stir and season with salt. With the lid off, return pot to oven and let beans finish cooking, uncovered and without additional water, until the sauce has thickened and the top is deeply crusty, about 45 minutes more.

SLOPPY JOE SLIDERS

This comes from FamilyTime.com. It starts off, “Sink your teeth into these mouthwater sliders, that are easy to make and really fun to eat.” Prep. Time: 10 minutes; Cooking Time: 20 minutes; Serves: 8 servings (3 sliders each)

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil

2 large onions, chopped (about 2 cups)

3 pounds ground beef

ketchup or 2 cups barbecue sauce

1 cup French's® Classic Yellow® mustard

1 /2 cup French's® worcestershire sauce

2 packages (15 ounces each) Pepperidge Farm® Mini Sandwich Buns (white or wheat)

Directions

Heat the oil in a 6-quart saucepot over medium heat. Add the onions and cook unitl tender, stirring occasionally.

Increase the heat to medium-high. Add the beef to the saucepot and cook until it's well browned, stirring often to separate meat. Pour off any fat.

Stir the barbecue sauce, mustard and Worcestershire sauce in the saucepot. Reduce the heat to low. Cook until the mixture is hot and bubbling, stirring occasionally. Divide the beef mixture among the buns.

EGG POTATO SALAD

This is my version of potato salad. While there are undoubtedly fancier versions of potato salad, this is the one that my family loves and asks for. While I’d love to say that the leftovers refrigerate well overnight, I wouldn’t know; it never lasts long enough!

Ingredients

5 pounds potatoes (I use regular white potatoes)

6 – 8 eggs

1 – 2 onions, diced

3 – 4 cups mayo (if you usually use a vegetarian version, go for it)

1/2 cup mustard

Directions

Peel potatoes and cube into bite-sized pieces. Place in large pot, cover with cold water, then boil. Once water reaches a boil, turn heat to medium and cook for 20 – 30 minutes. Potatoes should be cooked through, but not mushy.

While potatoes are cooking, place eggs in a pot and cover with cold water and turn stove on high. Once water begins to boil, let boil for 10 minutes. Turn off stove, place pan in sink and run cold water over the eggs to cool off.

Drain potatoes and rinse in cold water. Place in large bowl. Peel and cut up eggs and add to potatoes, along with diced onions. Add mayo and mustard and mix well. Can be served either slightly warmed (now) or, if served later, cooled in refrigerator.

JUICY GRILLED CHEESEBURGERS

This comes from the Food Network Kitchen, and begins, “These quarter-pounders are lightened up with 90-percent lean beef and a mere half-ounce of Cheddar, and they're served on wholesome whole wheat English muffins.”

Total Time: 40 minutes; Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 25 minutes; Yield: 4 servings; Level: Easy.

To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/juicy-grilled-cheeseburgers-recipe-2120370.

Ingredients

Canola oil or nonstick grilling cooking spray, for oiling the grates

1 medium red onion, thinly sliced

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

2 tablespoons ketchup

2 tablespoons yellow mustard

4 whole wheat English muffins, split

1 medium ripe tomato, cored and cut into 4 thick slices

1 pound 90-percent lean ground beef

2 ounces 50-percent reduced-fat sharp Cheddar, grated (about 1/2 cup)

Pickles, for serving, optional

Directions

Heat a grill to medium-high direct heat and lightly oil the grates using a paper towel soaked in canola oil or nonstick grilling cooking spray.

Spread a 16-inch-long piece of nonstick aluminum foil on a cutting board (or mist a piece of regular aluminum foil with nonstick cooking spray). Top with the onions, 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper and 1 tablespoon water. Bring two sides of the foil together, fold over twice to create a seal and then seal the remaining two ends. Put on the grill and cook for 12 minutes, flipping once. The onions should be tender with only a bit of charring. Carefully open the top of the foil to let all the steam out and continue to cook the onions, tossing, until browned and lightly charred, 3 minutes longer. Remove from the heat.

While the onions cook, mix the ketchup and mustard together in a small bowl. Season with pepper and set aside.

Lightly toast the English muffins on the grill and place one top and bottom on each of 4 plates. Spread some of the ketchup sauce on the bottom half of each muffin and top with a slice of tomato.

Divide the beef into 4 patties about 4 inches in diameter and just under 1/2-inch thick. Sprinkle with a total of 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Place the burgers on the grill. Cook until the edges of the burgers are browning, 3 to 5 minutes, and then flip. Brush the burgers with the remaining ketchup sauce and evenly top with the shredded cheese. Cover the burgers with the grill lid or a large heatproof bowl and continue to cook until the cheese has melted and the burgers are still a bit pink on the inside, about 3 minutes more.

Put one burger on top of the assembled muffin bottom and top with some of the grilled onions and the top of the muffin. Serve with pickles if desired.

GRILLED ONION BURGER

Here's a healthier version of a classic burger topped with grilled onions and all the fixings.

Makes 4 servings

Photo & Print Version: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/1223.shtml

Ingredients

1-1/2 pounds 95% lean ground beef

1 large sweet onion, cut crosswise into 1/2-inch thick slices

Vegetable oil

Salt and pepper

4 hamburger buns, split, toasted

Lettuce leaves

Tomato slices

Directions

Lightly shape Ground Beef into four 3/4-inch thick patties. Brush onion slices with oil.

Place patties and onion slices on grid over medium, ash-covered coals. Grill, covered, 11 to 15 minutes (over medium heat on preheated gas grill, 13 to 14 minutes) until instant-read thermometer inserted horizontally into center registers 160F, turning occasionally. Grill onions, 10 to 12 minutes or until tender, brushing with oil and turning occasionally.

Season burgers and onions with salt and pepper as desired.

Line bottom of each bun with lettuce. Place burgers on top of lettuce. Top with tomatoes and grilled onions. Close bun.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 368; Protein: 39 g; Fat: 10 g; Sodium: 324 mg; Saturated Fat: 4 g ; Dietary Fiber: 2 g ; Carbohydrates: 27 g

Wednesday, August 3, 2022

Burgers and Such

Is there anything more iconic during the summer (at least here in the U.S.) than burgers? Of course, it also helps to have a couple of extras to go with the burgers, so today's offerings deals with Burgers and Such. Check out the Power Cheeseburger, the Smash Burgers, and Spicy Coleslaw, as well as the other yummy recipes in today's post. Enjoy!

BAKED BEANS

This comes from Sam Sifton in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. Sam wrote, "Proper Boston baked beans would have salt pork instead of the bacon. James Beard cooked them with ribs. The key is to use the little white pea beans known as navy beans, and to allow time to do most of the work. (Or to cheat: Canned white beans make fantastic baked beans in about an hour. If you use them, you'll need four 15-ounce cans. Drain and then follow the directions from step 2 on to the end. Please understand that you’ll need much less water and much less time to get them where you want them to be.) The combination of molasses and dry mustard is a taste as old as America itself, and takes well to both ham and soft brown bread."

Yield: 6 to 8 servings; Time: About 6-1/2 hours, plus at least 6 hours' soaking time

This was featured in "A Fresh Take on Easter", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1016258-baked-beans.

Ingredients

2 cups navy beans

Salt

1/2 pound slab bacon, cut into cubes

1 medium onion, peeled and chopped

1/3 cup molasses

2 teaspoons dry mustard

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

Preparation

Soak beans in a large bowl of water for 6 hours or overnight. Drain beans and put them in a large oven-safe pot with a heavy bottom and a tightfitting lid. Add 1 teaspoon salt and enough cool water to cover 2 inches above the beans. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer gently, stirring occasionally, until the beans are just tender, approximately 30 to 40 minutes. Drain and remove beans.

Heat the oven to 250 degrees. Bring a kettle full of water to a boil on the stove. Return the heavy-bottomed pot to the stove and turn the heat to medium high. Cook the bacon in the bottom of the pot until it begins to brown, then turn off the heat and add the chopped onion and, on top of it, the beans. Mix together molasses, mustard and black pepper, and add the mixture to the pot. Pour in enough boiling water to cover beans, put the lid on and bake, occasionally adding more water to keep beans covered, until they are tender but not falling apart, 4 to 5 hours.

Remove beans from oven, uncover, stir and season with salt. With the lid off, return pot to oven and let beans finish cooking, uncovered and without additional water, until the sauce has thickened and the top is deeply crusty, about 45 minutes more.

GRILLED ONION BURGER

Here's a healthier version of a classic burger topped with grilled onions and all the fixings.

Makes 4 servings

Photo & Print Version: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/1223.shtml

Ingredients

1-1/2 pounds 95% lean ground beef

1 large sweet onion, cut crosswise into 1/2-inch thick slices

Vegetable oil

Salt and pepper

4 hamburger buns, split, toasted

Lettuce leaves

Tomato slices

Directions

Lightly shape Ground Beef into four 3/4-inch thick patties. Brush onion slices with oil.

Place patties and onion slices on grid over medium, ash-covered coals. Grill, covered, 11 to 15 minutes (over medium heat on preheated gas grill, 13 to 14 minutes) until instant-read thermometer inserted horizontally into center registers 160F, turning occasionally. Grill onions, 10 to 12 minutes or until tender, brushing with oil and turning occasionally.

Season burgers and onions with salt and pepper as desired.

Line bottom of each bun with lettuce. Place burgers on top of lettuce. Top with tomatoes and grilled onions. Close bun.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 368; Protein: 39 g; Fat: 10 g; Sodium: 324 mg; Saturated Fat: 4 g ; Dietary Fiber: 2 g ; Carbohydrates: 27 g

POWER CHEESEBURGER

This is from The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. The recipe begins, “Maura Egan and Christine Muhlke developed this recipe in 2004, around the time of the Olympic Games in Athens, after talking with Shane Hamman, then the No. 1 weight lifter in America, capable of squatting more than 1,000 pounds. He ate two for lunch, amid his 5,000 calorie day. It’s pretty delicious.”

Yield: 1 cheeseburger, Time: 20 minutes

This was featured in “Food; Athens on 5,000 Calorires a Day”, and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/10971-power-cheeseburger.

Ingredients

8 ounces ground beef, like chuck

1 egg yolk, beaten

1 teaspoon paprika

1 teaspoon salt

2 to 3 slices sharp Cheddar cheese

1 sesame bun, halved and toasted if desired

Pickles

Ketchup and mustard

Preparation

In large bowl, combine beef, egg, paprika and salt. Mix well and form 1 large patty.

Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add patty and cook 4 minutes; turn over and top with cheese. Continue to cook an additional 3 to 4 minutes for medium rare.

Place the burger cheese side up on bun and top with pickles, ketchup and/or mustard. Place other bun half on top and serve.

SMASH BURGERS

This is from Sam Sifton in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. Sam wrote, "This is the traditional, griddled hamburger of diners and takeaway spots, smashed thin and cooked crisp on its edges. It is best to cook in a heavy, cast-iron skillet slicked with oil or fat, and not on a grill. For meat, ask a butcher for coarse-ground chuck steak, with at least a 20 percent fat content, or grind your own. Keep it in the refrigerator until you are ready to cook, and try not to handle it with your fingers — use an ice-cream scoop or spoon instead. Plop down a few ounces in the pan, smash it with a spatula, salt it, let it go crisp and flip. Add cheese and get your bun toasted. The process moves quickly."

Yield: 4 to 8 servings; Time: 20 minutes

This as featured in "Deconstructing the Perfect Burger", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1016595-smash-burgers.

Another like you should check out to to Sam Sifton's guide, "How to Make Burgers". Even if you've been making burgers almost forever, it's still well worth checking out.

Ingredients

1/2 teaspoon neutral oil, like canola, or a pat of unsalted butter

2 pounds ground chuck, at least 20 percent fat

Kosher salt and black pepper to taste

8 slices cheese (optional)

8 soft hamburger buns, lightly toasted

Lettuce leaves, sliced tomatoes and condiments, as desired

Directions

Add oil or butter to a large cast-iron or stainless-steel skillet and place over medium heat. Gently divide ground beef into 8 small piles of around 4 ounces each, and even more gently gather them together into orbs that are about 2 inches in height. Do not form patties.

Increase heat under skillet to high. Put half the orbs into the skillet with plenty of distance between them and, using a stiff metal spatula, press down on each one to form a burger that is around 4 inches in diameter and about 1/2 inch thick. Season with salt and pepper.

Cook without moving until patties have achieved a deep, burnished crust, a little less than 2 minutes. Use the spatula to scrape free and carefully turn burgers over. If using cheese, lay slices on meat.

Continue to cook until meat is cooked through, approximately a minute or so longer. Remove burgers from skillet, place on buns and top as desired. Repeat process with remaining burgers. Serving two hamburgers on a single bun is not an outrageous option.

FAJITA TURKEY BURGER

Makes 5 servings

See the recipe with photo here: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/1326.shtml

Ingredients

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon chili powder

1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

1 teaspoon paprika

Salt and freshly ground pepper, if desired

1 (16-ounce) package Jennie-O Extra Lean Ground Turkey Breast

1/4 cup salsa, drained

3/4 cup cilantro, divided

2 onions, sliced

1 green bell pepper, sliced

1 red bell pepper, sliced

Wholly Guacamole classic or spicy dip, if desired

Wholly Guacamole salsa, if desired

5 reduced-calorie hamburger buns, split

1/3 cup shredded reduced-fat Monterey Jack cheese

Directions

In small bowl, combine cumin, garlic powder, chili powder, red pepper flakes, paprika and salt and pepper, if desired.

Mix ground turkey, half of spice mixture, drained salsa, and 1/2 cup cilantro; form into 5 (1/2-inch thick) patties. Lightly spray patties with cooking spray. Place patties in skillet over medium-high heat. Cook 17 to 19 minutes, turning occasionally.

Always cook to well done, 165F as measured by a meat thermometer.

Meanwhile, coat large skillet with cooking spray. Cook onions, bell peppers and remaining spice mixture over medium-high heat 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in remaining 1/4 cup cilantro.

To assemble burgers, spread guacamole and salsa, if desired, on buns. Place burgers, cheese and vegetable mixture on buns.

Always cook to an internal temperature of 165F.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 260; Protein: 29 g; Fat: 7 g; Sodium: 410 mg; Cholesterol: 60 mg; Saturated Fat: 3.5 g; Dietary Fiber: 4 g; Sugars: 5 g; Carbohydrates: 23 g

SPICY COLESLAW

This is from Sam Sifton in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. Sam wrote, "This easy, crisp slaw can be made a few hours ahead of time. It goes well with ribs and a cold beer, fried chicken or whatever summer feast sparks your fancy."

Yield: Serves 6; Time: 10 minutes, plus hours' refrigeration

This was featured in "Lone Star", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1012539-spicy-coleslaw.

Ingredients

1 medium head green cabbage

2 carrots, peeled and grated

1/2 cup mayonnaise

2 tablespoons pickle relish

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

1 tablespoon cider vinegar

2 teaspoons pepper sauce, like Frank’s, or to taste

Kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

Preparation

Cut the cabbage in half and remove the core. Cut each half in half and slice each resulting quarter into thin ribbons. Mix with carrots in a large, nonreactive bowl.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the remaining ingredients.

Pour the dressing over the cabbage and toss. Season to taste.

The coleslaw may be covered with plastic wrap and refrigerated for a few hours. Toss again before serving.

Monday, July 27, 2020

Burgers - Double-Post Monday

Besides being Meatless Monday, it's also Double-Post Monday. Today's double post deals with that iconic American food, the burger, and includes Grilled Onion Burgers and Honolulu Bob's Burgers. Enjoy!

POWER CHEESEBURGER

This is from The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. The recipe begins, “Maura Egan and Christine Muhlke developed this recipe in 2004, around the time of the Olympic Games in Athens, after talking with Shane Hamman, then the No. 1 weight lifter in America, capable of squatting more than 1,000 pounds. He ate two for lunch, amid his 5,000 calorie day. It’s pretty delicious.”

Yield: 1 cheeseburger, Time: 20 minutes

This was featured in “Food; Athens on 5,000 Calorires a Day”, and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/10971-power-cheeseburger.

Ingredients

8 ounces ground beef, like chuck

1 egg yolk, beaten

1 teaspoon paprika

1 teaspoon salt

2 to 3 slices sharp Cheddar cheese

1 sesame bun, halved and toasted if desired

Pickles

Ketchup and mustard

Preparation

In large bowl, combine beef, egg, paprika and salt. Mix well and form 1 large patty.

Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add patty and cook 4 minutes; turn over and top with cheese. Continue to cook an additional 3 to 4 minutes for medium rare.

Place the burger cheese side up on bun and top with pickles, ketchup and/or mustard. Place other bun half on top and serve.

ALOHA CHICKEN BURGERS

This is from Chris McDaniel at AllRecipes. Chris wrote, "This tasty sandwich is like a luau on a bun!”

Time: 1 hr 20 minutes; Prep: 20 min; Cook Time: 30 min; Makes 2 servings

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

2 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

1/4 cup soy sauce

3 slices thick cut bacon

2 large hamburger buns, split

1 tablespoon softened butter

1/4 cup teriyaki sauce

2 tablespoons mayonnaise

2 slices pineapple

2 slices tomato

2 slices of iceberg lettuce

Directions

Place chicken breasts into a plastic zipper bag with soy sauce, seal the bag, and marinate in refrigerator for 30 minutes. While chicken is marinating, place the bacon in a large, deep skillet, and cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until evenly browned, about 10 minutes. Drain the bacon slices on a paper towel-lined plate, and set aside. Spread cut sides of hamburger buns with butter.

Preheat an outdoor grill for medium heat, and lightly oil the grate.

Remove the chicken from the soy sauce, and discard the excess soy sauce. Place the chicken breasts onto the preheated grill, and grill until chicken shows good grill marks, is no longer pink inside, and the juices run clear, 4 to 5 minutes per side.

When chicken is almost done, brush each piece generously on both sides with teriyaki sauce to finish grilling. Place a slice of Swiss cheese on each chicken breast, and cover with a lid to help the cheese melt onto the chicken.

While chicken is grilling, spread the buns open on the grill and cook until toasted and showing grill lines, about 2 minutes. Set the buns aside.

To assemble, spread the grilled sides of each bun with mayonnaise, and top each bottom bun with a cooked chicken breast, 1 1/2 slices of bacon, a slice of pineapple, a slice from a head of lettuce, a slice of tomato, and the top bun.

Footnotes

Cook's Note:

If you don't want to grill, loosely roll up marinated chicken breast with teriyaki sauce in foil, and bake at 400 for 20 minutes. Then open foil, and melt cheese on top.

Tip

Aluminum foil can be used to keep food moist, cook it evenly, and make clean-up easier.

GRILLED ONION BURGER

Here's a healthier version of a classic burger topped with grilled onions and all the fixings.

Makes 4 servings

Photo & Print Version: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/1223.shtml

Ingredients

1-1/2 pounds 95% lean ground beef

1 large sweet onion, cut crosswise into 1/2-inch thick slices

Vegetable oil

Salt and pepper

4 hamburger buns, split, toasted

Lettuce leaves

Tomato slices

Directions

Lightly shape Ground Beef into four 3/4-inch thick patties. Brush onion slices with oil.

Place patties and onion slices on grid over medium, ash-covered coals. Grill, covered, 11 to 15 minutes (over medium heat on preheated gas grill, 13 to 14 minutes) until instant-read thermometer inserted horizontally into center registers 160F, turning occasionally. Grill onions, 10 to 12 minutes or until tender, brushing with oil and turning occasionally.

Season burgers and onions with salt and pepper as desired.

Line bottom of each bun with lettuce. Place burgers on top of lettuce. Top with tomatoes and grilled onions. Close bun.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 368; Protein: 39 g; Fat: 10 g; Sodium: 324 mg; Saturated Fat: 4 g ; Dietary Fiber: 2 g ; Carbohydrates: 27 g

CARIBBEAN BEEF BURGERS WITH MANGO SALSA

Recipe Yield: Makes 4 servings

Source: TBC

Recipe and photo appears courtesy of Cattlemen's Beef Promotion Board.

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/caribbean-beef-burgers-with-mango-salsa.

Ingredients

1-1/2 pounds 95% lean ground beef

2 tablespoons Caribbean jerk seasoning

Salt

Mango Salsa:

1 large mango, peeled, coarsely chopped (about 1 cup)

1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro

1 tablespoon chopped green onion

1 tablespoon finely chopped seeded jalapeno pepper

1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

Directions

Combine Ground Beef and jerk seasoning in large bowl, mixing lightly but thoroughly. Shape into four 3/4-inch thick patties.

Place patties on grid over medium, ash-covered coals. Grill, covered, 11 to 15 minutes (over medium heat on preheated gas grill, covered, 13 to 14 minutes), until instant-read thermometer inserted horizontally into center registers 160F, turning occasionally. Season with salt, as desired.

Meanwhile, combine salsa ingredients in medium bowl, mixing lightly. Serve burgers with salsa.

Note: Cooking times are for fresh or thoroughly thawed Ground Beef. Color is not a reliable indicator of Ground Beef doneness.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 193; Fat: 6 g; Saturated Fat: 3 g; Fiber: 1.1 g; Sodium: 51 mg; Cholesterol: 65 mg; Protein: 24 g; Carbohydrates: 11 g

JUICY GRILLED BURGERS

This perfect burger recipe comes from Diana Rattray on The Spruce Eats. Diana wrote, “These juicy grilled burgers are perfect for a summer cookout or holiday. Top them off with sliced tomatoes, pickles, and red onions, or add some bacon to your toppings.

“Tomato juice and Worcestershire sauce add to the flavor and juiciness of these hamburgers.

“If you like a flavorful burger, this recipe is an excellent choice. The burgers are made with a small amount of bread crumbs, grated onion, tomato juice (I use V-8), and some simple seasonings.

“See the tips and variations below the recipe for some extra flavor ideas and burger shaping and cooking tips.”

Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Yield: 4 to 5 servings.

Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds chuck (ground, or ground round)

3 tablespoons breadcrumbs (plain, fine, dry)

2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

2 tablespoons onion (grated)

Optional: 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

2 tablespoons tomato juice

Salt to taste (seasoned)

Pepper to taste

Optional: tomatoes (sliced)

Optional: pickles (sliced)

Optional: onion (sliced)

Optional: lettuce

Optional: condiments (as desired)

Directions

Combine the ground beef with bread crumbs, Worcestershire sauce, grated onion, garlic powder, and tomato juice; mix well. Shape the ground beef into 4 to 5 large burger patties. Sprinkle both sides of burgers lightly with seasoned salt and pepper.

Prepare your gas or charcoal grill for high heat and oil the grate with vegetable oil.

Place the burgers on a foil-lined pan. Cover and refrigerate until the grill is ready.

Put burgers on the prepared grill over direct heat. Grill the burgers for about 5 to 7 minutes on each side, or until done as desired.

Serve on split toasted buns with your choice of sliced vegetables and condiments.

Burger Shaping and Cooking Tips

Weigh your burgers as you shape them for uniform size and even cooking.

Using your thumb or a finger, make an indention in the center of each patty, especially if they're quite thick. This will help it stay flat and cook evenly.

Grind your own beef. Choose chuck steak or cubes or boneless short ribs, or another cut with good flavor and a decent amount of fat.

Use an instant-read food thermometer to check the burger temperature. An inexpensive instant-read thermometer is fine, but if you use a food thermometer frequently, consider the ThermoWorks Thermapen. It's super fast and reliable.

Burger Temperatures

Rare: 120 F to 125 F

Medium Rare: 130 F to 135 F

Medium: 140 F to 145 F

Medium Well: 150 F to 155 F

Well Done: 160 F to 165 F

Keep in mind that Foodsafety.gov recommends a minimum safe temperature of 160 F for ground beef, or 165 F for ground poultry.

HONOLULU BOB'S BURGERS

This comes from Country Bob's. Yield: 4 servings.

2 pounds ground beef

Country Bob’s All Purpose Sauce

4 slices Cheddar Cheese

4 well-drained canned pineapple slices

Divide ground beef into 4 portions & shape each into a patty. Grill over hot coals until cooked on one side. Turn patties over. Spread with Country Bob’s All Purpose Sauce & top with pineapple slices. Grill for several min-utes or until cooked through. Add cheese slices. Grill until cheese melts. Top with additional Country Bob’s All Purpose Sauce & serve as desired.