In a previous blog I shared some traditional picnic recipes, but neglected to add ones that feature spiced up versions of one of the most popular picnic foods around—-hamburgers.
Not only are hamburgers portable, but they are also incredibly versatile. A simple ground beef patty can easily become a culinary masterpiece with a few tasty toppings. The following recipes are ones my friends and I served up during a recent backyard BBQ celebrating the birth of our pal’s new baby. They are simple to prepare and offer a kick that you won’t find in traditional hamburgers.
SPICY ONION BURGERS
Ingredients:
1 1/2 pounds ground beef
4 teaspoons Spice Mixture (recipe below)
4 hamburger buns, split
Romaine lettuce
Tomato slices
1/4 cup Ranch dressing
2 tablespoons canned French fried onions
Ingredients for Spice Mixture:
2 teaspoons sweet paprika
2 teaspoons dried thyme leaves, crushed
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper, ground red pepper and ground white pepper
Directions:
Prepare Spice Mixture. Store in airtight container. Shake before using to blend. Makes 3 tablespoons.
Shape ground beef into four 3/4-inch-thick patties. Press Spice Mixture evenly into both sides of each patty.
Prepare grill.
Cook patties to medium doneness (160 degrees) or until centers are no longer pink and juices show no pink color; turn once.
Line bottom of each bun with lettuce and tomato; top with burger.
Spoon ranch dressing evenly over burgers; sprinkle with onions.
MONSTER MUSHROOM BURGER
Ingredients:
1 1/2 lbs. ground chuck
3 teaspoons garlic salt, divided
1 teaspoon black pepper
4 cups sliced mushrooms
2 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
4 to 6 slices Swiss cheese
8 to 12 slices cooked bacon
4 to 6 hard rolls, split and toasted
Steak sauce
Directions:
Season beef with 2 teaspoons garlic salt and pepper and form into 4 to 6 patties.
Sautee mushrooms in oil and butter on medium heat.
After a few minutes add remaining 1 teaspoon of garlic salt. Cook until mushrooms are slightly soft.
Grill burgers. Just before they are done top with Swiss cheese.
Remove burgers and place on buns. Top with bacon, mushrooms and your favorite steak sauce.
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