THE ULTIMATE HOMEMADE BURGER

My husband claims my burgers are the best. So I often double this recipe, keeping uncooked patties refrigerated for a day. The flavours absorb so well, they are even more delicious cooked the next day. We’ve feasted on a batch of these burgers for an entire weekend! We’ve also hosted burger barbecue parties, making a batch of these flavour-packed burgers and serving them with an array of condiment toppings. Always a hit!

This recipe serves 4. I’ve tripled it to serve a party of 12 guests.

INGREDIENTS

For Burgers:

• 1.5 lbs (0.68 kgs) lean ground beef
• 2 large eggs
• 1/3 cup red onion, finely chopped
• 1 medium-sized Serrano pepper, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup barbecue sauce (your favourite store-bought or home made)
•  1 tablespoon onion powder
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1/4 cup ground almonds – enough to bind the hamburger patties well.
• Salt and pepper to taste

For Garnish:

•  1 medium chopped onion,
•  8 oz of mixed mushrooms
• 1 large thinly chopped Serrano pepper (optional)
• salt and pepper to taste

Burger Bread:

We prefer to use fresh wholegrain sliced bread instead of burger buns for our burgers. The slices are nutrient dense and hold the burger well. It’s a rustic look, and so very delicious! (We love Country Harvest Canadian Rustic Bean Bread. It’s a delicious blend of chickpeas, beans, lentils and peas. Available at Co-op grocers.)

PREPARATION:

1) Combine all the BURGER INGREDIENTS in a bowl and form large palm-sized patties.

2) You may either cook patties on barbecue, on broil oven setting, (turning once for uniform cooking), or in stovetop saucepan. We’ve used all three methods with great results.

3) Sauté the GARNISH ITEMS of chopped onion, chopped mushrooms and chopped Serrano pepper in olive oil. Set aside for burger topping.

3) Create a tray of condiment toppings for guests to choose from: mayonnaise, ketchup, relish, horseradish, sliced raw red onion, sliced beefsteak tomatoes, sliced assorted pickles, butter lettuce, spinach, and sautéed garnish.

Casual, fun backyard summer entertaining. Just add cooler full of beer!

Bon Appétit!

Beam Good Energy!