T’is the season where the weather is intermittently teasing us with the beautiful sunny days that lie ahead.  They excite us and make us want to get outside.  These days are generally accompanied by that WONDERFUL, TANTALIZING smell of BBQ’d Burgers lingering in the air.  Many of us will turn to the convenience of Boxed burgers, but if you knew you could make delicious homemade burgers quick and easy; those boxed burgers will stay in the freezer for another season!!!

TIP #1 – MOST IMPORTANT – The MEAT!

You can season the meat with as many variations as you can dream of, but the key to any of these recipes is the quality of the meat.  You want to aim for Lean Ground Beef for it’s 80% Lean factor.  Anything more than 90% (extra lean) can crumble easier.

Also for the best, freshest, least compacted meat available, skip the packaged meats.  Get your ground beef straight from the Butcher.  The meat that has the least amount of handling, will be compacted less and therefore give you a better quality tasting burger.

IN SHORT, IF YOU BUY THE QUALITY MEAT YOUR BURGERS WILL BE GRILLTASTIC! ,

TIP #2 – SIZE MATTERS

In order for the cooking process to produce the best results, your patties should all be the same size.  Slight differences here and there can be the difference between Medium Rare, and Medium Burgers.  Use a repetitive process or tool, like the one below for creating your burgers to ensure the cooking time is identical for all burgers.

Check out this tool HERE – See below to find out how you can win it!

TIP #3 – DIMPLE 

Do you often wonder why Homemade burgers SHRINK to half their original size and DOME up at the center?  It’s because their creator didn’t know what you know.  Dimple your Patties to prevent both of these occurrences.  Simply use your fingers and make an even sized dimple in each pattie.

TIP #4 – Stove Top- Option for Year Round Enjoyment

We all love our BBQ, but we may not all love to stand outside and endure all that the weather can dish out, just for a perfect Burger.  With the right tools in your kitchen you can make your masterpiece, indoors, in 10 min or less.  Just set your Grill Pan to a Med- High heat.  Let it heat up 3-5 min  Place Burgers on Grill (sizzle sound is GOOD).  Flip after 5 min.  Serve and ENJOY!

TIP #5 – BURGER FUN

CAN YOU EAT A WHOLE BURGER?  Do you Find that the Burgers get bigger and bigger?  I seem to think the burgers have tripled in size.  I’m sure this isn’t the case, but somehow finishing the burger can seem like a daunting task.  Try SLIDERS!  These are so fun and have much variation potential.  They are perfect for a large gathering as there is often so much food, a  slider becomes the perfect compliment, allowing you to enjoy the other items offered as well.  Play with the BUN option – if you’re trying to cut carbs, opt for a Mushroom Bun, or and Burger on a Stick? Both of these are “GRATE” ways to still get that amazing burger taste, but is a manageable quantity.

Myth or fact – you need an egg to form the patties?

Myth!  An egg has been thought to be required to bind all the ingredients together and prevent crumbling while

cooking… but this is simply not needed.  You can mix your seasonings, even add some diced onions, without the egg. Form your patties with a bit of firmness and they will survive the cooking process.

Our favourite burger recipe

WHAT YOU NEED:

• 1.5 kg Lean ground beef
• 1 Egg
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 Onion, minced
• 2 Garlic cloves, minced
• Salt
• Pepper

WHAT YOU DO:

Mix all ingredients together with your hands, form patties and barbecue

As a family, this is one of our all-time favorite things to cook.  Sometimes there’s nothing better that a good Burger!

And now the contest…

WIN A FREE HAMBURGER PRESS

How to enter:

Comment on this post and let us know your favourite hamburger topping

Then like Danielle’s Facebook Page – Danielle’s Pampered Kitchen..Healthy Meals in Minutes

Rules and Regulations:

Contest is open to Canadian residents only (with the exception of Quebec). Contest opens April 25, 2017 at 10PM EST and closes May 1, 2017, 10PM EST.  One winner will be chosen by random draw on May 2, 2017. Retail value of Pampered Chef Hamburger press is $30.00 CDN with shipping. Prize has no cash value and must be accepted as awarded.
Urban Suburban Mommy is not liable for any loss or damages associated with this contest.
This contest may be ended or discontinued at the sole discretion of Urban Suburban Mommy. Danielle’s Pampered Kitchen is responsible for the execution and fulfillment of the contest (Not Urban Suburban Mommy). All decisions are final.
All rights reserved.

Happy Grilling.

Danielle’s Pampered Kitchen..Healthy Meals in Minutes