Barbecue Success Burger Tips
Welcome back, I am posting this article at the end of what turned out to be a very enjoyable day for everyone in our household. We enjoyed a quite special evening meal as my nephew came to visit. Usually, I might try to impress and make something extravagant that would be a show stopper, but on this occasion I selected a recipe that I am pleased to have prepared frequently before and no matter what I do, is delicious on every occasion. I am aware that a few of you might consider that a special occasion requires a very exciting recipe, but to be honest the special visitor is usually not as worried as you are, and it is much more memorable to prepare something that is appetizing and straightforward, is a recipe that you know that you can prepare with success, instead of a very intricate dinner that could instead be a meal that no-one enjoys.
Summer and fall - and the long weekends in-between - are ideal times to fire up the grill and bring the family together for some outdoor fun.
Burgers, the quintessential barbecue fare, are among America's all-time favorite foods. For variety, top them with unconventional fixings, such as avocado slices, arugula, salsa and fresh basil.
For the best taste and optimum freshness, connoisseurs recommend organic ground beef.
"USDA-certified organic ground beef is made from animals that have not been injected with synthetic hormones or antibiotics, and that eat food free of animal byproducts and grown without pesticides," said Michael Levine, president of Organic Prairie Family of Farms, one of the nation's leading cooperatives of organic farmers and providers of organic meat.
Here are some burger-making tips from Organic Prairie.
* For best flavor, use 85 percent lean ground beef. If you choose leaner meat, add a splash of tomato juice or Worcestershire sauce to increase flavor and moisture.
* Finely mince any garlic, onions or other vegetables that will be mixed into the meat. Larger chunks will make the burger fall apart on the grill.
For those of us lucky enough to have a vegetable garden, Courgettes are very simple to grow at home, but can be affected by cold snaps or sudden freezes. If you end up with a glut of courgettes, one can freeze the extra courgettes, but since they are very soft, the best solution is to roughly shred them, drying them and then putting them in an airtight container in the freezer.
* Wet clean hands prior to making the patties. The patties should be formed loosely, not packed or pressed, and should be about one-half-inch thick and slightly wider than the bun.
Try this Mediterranean-inspired burger recipe at your next family barbecue - maybe with one of these salad recipes.
GREEK GOURMET BURGER
(Makes 6 servings)
1 1/2 pounds Organic Prairie ground beef (thawed)
1 1/2 medium green onion (chopped)
1 cup fresh spinach (chopped)
A nutritious diet not only ensures your general physical health, but also works to maintain a great Body Mass Index, lowers the threat of numerous critical illnesses including tumours, cardiovascular illnesses, diabetes, degenerative bone disease and ischemia.
1/4 cup tomato (chopped)
1/4 cup organic feta cheese
1/4 teaspoon dried dill
1/2 teaspoon basil
1/2 teaspoon sea salt (to taste)
1/2 teaspoon black pepper (ground)
In a large glass bowl, mix all ingredients. Cover and chill for 1 hour to allow flavors to mingle.
Form into 6 patties. Cook over medium-high heat for 6 minutes on each side for medium doneness. Serve over seasonal greens.
Of course, with all internet information, it is fundamental that you do not simply believe anything you find as being definitive truth. I am only human the same as everyone else, so for heaven's sake use common sense and verify everything you read on this site before acting on it, more than ever if you are planning doing something that may lead to financial cost or injury to your health.