Big Beautiful Burgers Again

School's out on the best way to make burgers. There’s differing opinions as to how to prep the meat, whether it be ground beef, pork, veal, chicken, Italian sausage or any combination thereof.

Some just spice it up with grill seasoning and/or garlic powder, salt and pepper, and form it into patties (that’s how Big Guy does it). Then there’s decisions to be made as to the size and thickness of the patties, whether to stuff the cheese inside or put it on top and what kind of bun to use never mind whether to toast it, steam it or serve it naked out of the wrapper.  Decisions, decisions, decisions.

Personally, I don’t think there’s a wrong or a right way to make ‘em, I just know  I’d rather have a burger than a steak, although I live with a guy that begs to differ. Last night’s burger extravaganza included 80/20 ground beef mixed, combined with Italian bread crumbs, dry onion soup mix, various spices and an egg and water to bind and moisten because when I make ‘em, I like ‘em that way. I formed the patties into a thinner patty each consisting of a half cup of beefy goodness, then Big Guy took over.

He cooked them outside on a flat top grill and the patties ended up crispy, crunchy and yummy on the outside, moist and tender inside. Stacked in pairs on a grilled bun topped with mayo, blue cheese crumbles  and some of the bacon, onion and beer jam Big Guy cooked up a couple of days ago, it was enough to make the golden arches weep with envy.

In case you’re wondering, we’re prepping ourselves for the shock of leaving the lovely Oregon coast to return to the desert. Needless to say the euphoric moods enjoyed the past 3 weeks are a little less euphoric, in fact we’re all kinda’ quiet…down in the dumps if you really want to know the truth. We’ve had a blast visiting old haunts, walking the beaches and generally enjoying a place that’s really become our second home; however, yesterday was a day that needs to go down in history as a first!

You see, the owners of our lovely little Rose Cottage have a garden that just doesn’t quit and shared some fresh and I mean FRESH snow peas with us yesterday. If you’re a regular to this site, you’ll remember that Big Guy doesn’t do peas in any way, shape or form but yesterday he finally saw the light and ate a plateful, simply washed and uncooked. He says a guy'll eat anything if he's starving and I say maybe so, but why'd he look so darn happy while he was doing it if he didn't like it? Just sayin'. 

Beefy Onion Burgers (an original from JBug’s Kitchen)

2 pounds 80/20 ground beef

1 envelope dry onion soup mix (I used Lipton)

1/2 cup dried Italian flavored bread crumbs

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon Montreal grill seasoning

1/2 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper

1 egg

2/3 cup water

Combine ingredients together and form into patties, using a half cup per patty. Refrigerate for a minimum 30 minutes to blend flavors and firm up patties. Cook on a flat top grill until crispy outside and medium inside (about 3 minutes per side). Serve on warmed hamburger buns with toppings of your choice. Makes 10 thin patties.

 

Comments

[Lea]

What a good looking burger! I concur with you that a burger over a steak is a joy any day! SW, on the other hand... is just opposed to sammies of all sorts - silly him.
I am PROUD of the Big Guy for going where no Big Guy has gone before and enjoyed the bounty of the garden in the form of peas!!!!! I bet they were divine!
I know you are heartbroken that your time is almost done there, but don't let that put a damper on your last few days - live life to the fullest, my friend!
Tomorrow, we head to Gatlinburg, Tn. for a little vacation until Sunday. I am so excited about SW and CA seeing more of our beautiful country!

[June]

Lea - safe journey my friend and enjoy your vacation. Yes, we're sad to be packing up but we'll just start planning the next trip. Big Guy says "everyone has their moments of weakness...mine was eating peas :-)"

[Lorraine]

Now that is a Big Guy burger for sure. Well, eating peas...I don't know what to say. Does that mean the world as we know it is about to end. I am so sad you are on your way home. I can only sit here and look forward to next time :)

[June]

Lorraine - I know...peas! Can you believe it? Maybe we'll be doing green or yellow wax beans next and after that, the world! We just arrived in Redding and it seems like it was only yesterday we were here. Boy, the month went quickly and we too are looking forward to the next time. Thanks for making this year's Oregon vacation so perfect!