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Tuesday, May 15, 2007

A Festival of Burgers!

Or.. Paul's Big Burger Ballyhoo of 2007!

When I first read of Paul's (half of the dynamic duo of Paul & Freya's Writing at the Kitchen Table) idea, I thought it to be fabulous - I mean, really, loads of burger recipes at your fingertips? What could be better? I knew I'd be submitting but I wasn't sure which burger I would be passing along to the internets. What appeared to be an easy task, ended up being not so much. As per usual, I didn't think about my standard burger, I wanted something with a lil more pizazz, yanno? And as per usual, I hit my favorite recipe sites and quite a few more when it was all said and done. I found myself 2 burger recipes that I knew would put me in the running for the Goat Saliva that's being offered as a prize. *gurgle* *horf* *beeuuuickkkk* *kurrrdddddddd*

We tried both recipes.. one involved a fried egg! The other involved cheese.. and lots of it. After trying both we realized, ehhh? They were okay but not really our cup of tea. (Although I did love the fried egg - it's just the rest of the burger was so bland)

What we both learned from this experience is that we are pretty much burger purists. We want our burgers to be flavorful without a lot of accessories to "beef" up that flavor. We're not big on lettuce, cheese, tomato, etc. A pickle once in a while is a good thing, maybe a big slice of raw onion too.. but that's about it. And as for the hamburger bun? Unless it's a home made, fresh from the oven bun, we're not too interested. We like garlic bread instead of a traditional bun, actually. Be it thick or thin, as long as it's garlicky, a lil buttery and toasted, we are happy campers!

Ranch onion burgers

And so, my submission is not the big show stopping, goat saliva worth winning burger - it's just our favorite burger that we make 9 out of 10 times. I don't even know if Paul & Freya are going to be able to try out this recipe, as it includes powdered ranch dressing mix and those lil french fried onions that come in little cannisters.. can you even get those items in England? Well.. I hope so! =)

Onion Ranch Burgers
Lisa's Ranch Onion Burgers

Makes 4 burgers

Ground sirloin is just not a good choice for burgers.. it's too damn dry. If you are going to have a burger - then go for a lil fat. It's that moderation thing, right? =)

For the burger:
1.5 lbs. ground round
1 packet of ranch dressing mix (I use Hidden Valley)
1/2 - 3/4 c. French Fried Onions (I believe I use Durkee brand?)
2 TBS. Worchestershire sauce
Pinch of salt
Ground black pepper

For the garlic bread
8 slices of thick or thin sliced Italian bread
4 TBS butter
2-3 cloves garlic, put through a garlic press
1 tsp. dried parsley
1 TBS. grated Parmiagiano or Romano cheese

Heat the grill up to temperature (We usually go up to 350º - 400º and then turn down the heat when the burger are ready to go on). Meanwhile in a large bowl mix all the burger ingredients well. Sometimes when I've got extra time or am feelin' a lil saucy, I'll run all the ingredients through the grinder attachment of my Kitchenaid.
Separate the hamburger mixture into 4 baseball sized hunks and flatten each with the palm of your hand until they are about 1/2 inch thick.

When placing the burgers on the grill, you can brush on a little extra Worchestershire sauce first. Totally optional. Grill the burgers for about 4-5 minutes (guestimate?) on each side, do NOT, press down on the burger - just let it sit there and get all grill-marky delicious.

While the burgers are cooking, mix the pressed garlic in with the butter (roasted garlic paste is also wonderful instead of the raw pressed garlic), then add the parsley & cheese. Spread the garlic butter mixture on one side of each slice of bread and either place butter side down in a hot skillet until golden brown (like you are making a toasted cheese sammich), or broil them, butter side up, under the broiler until goldeny brown. Leave the other side alone, or if you wish, lightly toast that side as well.

Build your burger as you wish - we just like a lil ketchup and a pickle and/or slice of raw onion. Devour.

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Comments on "A Festival of Burgers!"

 

Blogger Acme Instant Food said ... (5/15/2007 9:35 AM) : 

The sight of a burger on the grill is a thing of beauty forever! Or at least until you lick your fingers and burp in happy satisfaction (you should only do this at home). The addition of those crunchy onions sounds interesting--I'd give you the medal! The saliva does come in a gilded winners cup, right? Please tell me you don't have to create a recipe using it, do you?

 

Blogger Cheryl said ... (5/15/2007 10:13 AM) : 

Oh burgers. Love the idea of powdered ranch dressing, that must be so good. You can never go wrong with ranch.

You people stink making me hungry and all.

 

Blogger Thistlemoon said ... (5/15/2007 11:25 AM) : 

Yum, those look really good! I love little fried onions on my burger!

 

Blogger Gattina Cheung said ... (5/15/2007 2:16 PM) : 

Lis, I just feel the meat juice from your burger gusting into my mouth!!! Come to burger I'm with you, more care about how the meat cooked and its seasoning. Splendid idea of using garlic bread!

 

Blogger tammy said ... (5/15/2007 3:10 PM) : 

Nothing wrong with that!

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (5/15/2007 4:28 PM) : 

I just looooooooove pickles on burgers. Haven't tried the crunchy onion thing but that sounds really, really scrumptious. And I haven't thought of the garlic bread before. Shit. I put it on everything else, so why not the bread?

And what is up with the burger pix? I look at one, and I go nuts. I'm droolin here. Seriously. Can you even imagine how the round up will go? All that boi-gah porn in one place? Jeez --

 

Blogger Callipygia said ... (5/15/2007 4:46 PM) : 

Lisa- I am so with you on the pickle, raw onion, thing- not too much clutter. I am piqued by the addition of ranch and fried onion...very clever!

 

Blogger Julie said ... (5/15/2007 5:16 PM) : 

That ranch dressing mix is a great idea to flavor burgers! I have never seen the garlic bread bun before, and i think that's genius as well. As heavenly as a fried egg is on ANY food, i think it might be too much on a burger, so I like your pure and simple version.

The dressing reminds me of something I used to do with air popped popcorn when i was a kid: Toss it with a little melted butter and sprinkle it with Italian dressing mix--divine!

 

Blogger Sara said ... (5/15/2007 5:37 PM) : 

Oh my god, I LOVE those little french fried onion things! We have an open can in the pantry from a recipe a couple of months ago and I am slowly sneaking my way to the bottom. Luckily Scott hasn't noticed yet. Never had them in a burger before.

 

Blogger Jenny said ... (5/15/2007 6:56 PM) : 

sounds good to me!
I never thought of garlic bread as my bun, not sure why since I tend to eat more garlic bread than pasta when I make them together!

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (5/15/2007 8:33 PM) : 

I'm drooling, Lisa! I haven't had a great burger in so long. I'm on my way!

 

Blogger MyKitchenInHalfCups said ... (5/15/2007 10:30 PM) : 

That makes the best garlic bread! Our son does it outside on the gril.
What a great idea to use it for the "bun"!! You just know how to do the little things so well. and the french fried onion rings!! oooo la la! that is such a sharp idea!

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (5/16/2007 11:25 AM) : 

Oooh those sound like interesting additions! And you said you were making a boring burger...I think not! I might have to try this out next time we fire up the grill. Which sadly isn't as often as I'd like because it doesn't belong to me.

 

Blogger Kelly-Jane said ... (5/16/2007 11:27 AM) : 

I did the same with my burger Lisa, thought we'd go for something posh, but I entered what we have as our regular too!

Yours looks lovely - good luck with the Goatslick ;)!!

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (5/16/2007 1:55 PM) : 

When it comes right down to it I'm also a burger purist, with one exception: when I do get a chance to cook meat I sometimes like to put the cheese inside the burger. It is so, so good, and decadent! At any rate your post made my mouth water. It's been ages since I had a good old fashion burger. Now I want to go to the beach and barbeque!

Ari (Baking and Books)

 

Blogger Freya said ... (5/16/2007 1:56 PM) : 

Please don't tell anybody else about our blog as judging by this event, BBB2008 will definitely kill me. So many recipes and only on tiny little stomach. This is my curse, but I'm coping.
The burger looks great and you're in luck because I always pick up some Hidden Valley dressing mix when I'm in the US as it is completely unheard of here. In fact, Cool Ranch Doritos are called Cool Original here. Freya says they were the first on the market. Oh, and Nacho Cheese Doritos are called Spicy? Cheese or something. And as for the Durkee onions, Tesco sells something similar, but it's wetter and sweeter and doesn't work at all in a green bean casserole. Might work for a burger though.
I am looking forward to trying this out because the laymans favourite is always better than a flashy bistro burger.
Good luck in the competition!

 

Blogger Susan from Food Blogga said ... (5/16/2007 5:03 PM) : 

What perfect summertime fare! Your family must have savored every bite!

 

Blogger Heather said ... (5/16/2007 5:57 PM) : 

Oh that looks fabulous. I was going to make my own burger to submit, but now I just might have to make yours!! do you think that is cheating?

 

Blogger Lis said ... (5/16/2007 8:40 PM) : 

Kev - lol oh I couldn't.. I can't even fathom using goat saliva to lube my car let alone cook with it. I wish you were here and not vacationing (yeah I'll bet you do too) so you could have entered your blueberry burger. I AM going to try that!

Cheryl - I agree.. ranch dressing rocks. hehe

Jenn - I know! I could eat them like chips. lol

Gattina - Thanks sweetie! And actually those lil burgers were medium - I should have taken a bit for the photo. hehee

Tammy - Amen sistah

Kelly - No, I'm sorry.. I just can't speak at you - I'm STILL fantasizing about YOUR burger. SERIOUSLY.

Callipygia - Thanks doll =) They really do give the meat an excellent flavor. =)

I use the ranch & onions in my meatloaf as well.. YUM! And ohhhh that popcorn you describe sounds delish!

Sara - lol I'm the same way! hhee

Jenny - Garlic bread & burgers rock! :D

Ivonne - OOhhh if only that were true! But I know you are headed much further south. :P

Tanna - Thanks sweetie =) Does he put the cheese in the garlic butter? If not, I highly recommend it. :D

Laura - Well I'm sorry to hear that you don't get to BBQ as often as you like.. but I'm VERY grateful that you get to cook all you want in your kitchen! For I drool.. muchly. =)

Kelly-jane - I'm going to catch up on my blog reading tomorrow - I can NOT WAIT to see your burger!

Ari - Thanks sweetie! I hope you get to that beach and get your grill on. ;)

Paul - That's fabulous!! I'm so glad you've got the ranch! Thanks!

Susan - We did, thanks =))

Heather - lol heck no.. make 'em! :D

xoxo

 

Blogger Elle said ... (5/16/2007 11:35 PM) : 

Can't go wrong with onions and garlic. Looks good.

 

Blogger Unknown said ... (5/17/2007 1:03 AM) : 

Burgers? YUM!!! When it's homemades, I'd love to eat it!! I'm hungry now, our dinner time is around the clock (or corner?).

 

Blogger Peabody said ... (5/17/2007 4:35 AM) : 

I'm just the opposite, I goop my burgers up with all sorts of stuff.

 

Blogger Monkey Wrangler said ... (5/17/2007 2:54 PM) : 

Yeah, like drool, belch and all that goes with tastie burger. You know it's all about getting your hands on the goatslick. Me too. If there ain't a new little monkey around here soon, I just might make the deadline......

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (5/17/2007 3:05 PM) : 

You have a beautiful name and some really wonderful posts out there. Keep up the good work:)
~Bianca

 

Blogger Lynda said ... (5/17/2007 7:34 PM) : 

Oh no!! - just when I thought I was getting the hang of this blogging thing... I find you! - funny - great food and a beautiful blog... I really have to get some work done today and have only just touched the surface of your writing... will definitly be coming back for more (the martha crepe post had me peeing my pants I was laughing so hard - brilliant!! cheers Lynda

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (5/19/2007 10:02 AM) : 

The drooling, it won't stop! Seriously, I am salivating and I can't stop it! I want I want I want I want NOW! Guess what this little duck is having for lunch tomorrow? One hint, it ain't duck!

*goes off to drool some more and possibly hunt down a towel*

 

Blogger sher said ... (5/20/2007 1:54 AM) : 

I totally LOVE the idea of the ranch dressing. And the onions? Yowza! I'm actually getting excited just thinking about it. Wait--is this a bad sign? Can't help myself, a good recipe makes my heart go pitter pat!! :):)

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (5/21/2007 3:36 PM) : 

After eating beef/meat almost every night for the past 2 weeks I swear I was going to become vegetarian at least for a week. Then I see this burger post and suddenly I want to eat meat again. :)

 

Blogger Valentina said ... (5/21/2007 5:11 PM) : 

Oh my God, Lis, this is sinful!!

 

Blogger jasmine said ... (5/21/2007 8:27 PM) : 

Y'know what? I think it's a winning buger. I'd happily munch away on one...

j

 

Blogger Kirsten said ... (5/22/2007 3:45 AM) : 

YUMMMMMMMMYY! :)

That looks really good.

 

Anonymous Anonymous said ... (5/23/2007 11:06 PM) : 

I'm a burger purist as well. Your creation looks incredible!
I could kick myself because I missed this event...happens to me all the time!

 

Blogger Nazca said ... (5/27/2007 2:39 PM) : 

What a strange ingredient for a burger! Wonderful

 

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