Victoria's Make-It-Yours Burgers

Victoria's Make-It-Yours Burgers

Create all kinds of burgers, from the straightforward to the exotic and grill until your heart’s content.  If you don’t have a grill I’ve included oven instructions below.

Basic Ingredients (Serves 4)
Meat
Liquid (Optional)
Seasoning
1/3 to 1/2 Cup Stuffing (Optional)
Bread
Spread And/Or Toppers (Optional)

Meat (Choose One or Combine)
1 1/2 Pounds Ground Beef
1 1/2 Pounds Ground Pork
1 1/2 Pounds Ground Lamb
1 1/2 Pounds Ground Veal
1 Pound Ground Beef Plus 8 Ounces Ground Italian Sausage
1 1/2 Pounds Ground Salmon
1 1/2 Pounds Ground Turkey (Use a Liquid; Brush Turkey Burgers Lightly With Vegetable Oil Before Grilling; Cook Turkey Burgers to 165º F)
1 1/2 Pounds Ground Chicken (Cook Same As Turkey)

Liquid (Choose One or Combine)
2 Tablespoons Apricot Preserves (Chop Large Pieces)
2 Tablespoons Barbecue Sauce
2 Tablespoons Chutney (Chop Large Pieces)
1 Lightly Beaten Egg
1 Lightly Beaten Egg White
2 Tablespoons Milk
2 Tablespoons Steak Sauce

Seasoning (Choose One or Combine)
1/2 Teaspoon Dried Basil
1 Teaspoon Chili Powder
2 Cloves Minced Garlic
2 Tablespoons Finely Chopped Onion
1/2 Teaspoon Kosher Salt
1/2 Teaspoon Freshly Ground Pepper
1 Teaspoon Steak Seasoning
2 Teaspoons Worcestershire Sauce
2 Teaspoons Soy Sauce

Stuffing (Choose One or Combine)
Cooked Crisp Crumbled Bacon
Crumbled Feta Cheese
Crumbled Blue Cheese
Shredded Provolone
Shredded Mozzarella
Shredded Smoked Cheddar
Shredded Cheddar
Shredded Monterey Jack
Cooked Sliced Fresh Mushrooms
Chopped Roasted Red Sweet Peppers

Bread (Choose One)
4 Split Kaiser Rolls
4 Split Onion Rolls
4 White Hamburger Buns
4 Whole Wheat Hamburger Buns
2 White or Whole Wheat Pita Bread Rounds – Halved
4 Split Brioche Buns
4 Split Port Muffins
4 Split English Muffins

Spread (Choose One or Combine)
Mayonnaise
Ketchup
Yellow Mustard
Dijon Mustard
Basil Pesto
Barbecue Sauce
The Possibilities Are Endless!

Toppers
Cheese Slices
Tomato Slices
Onion Slices
Caramelized Onions
Pickle Slices
Cooked Bacon
Roasted Peppers
Fresh Basil Leaves
Spinach Leaves
Lettuce Leaves
Avocado
The Possibilities Are Endless!

Combine meat, liquid and seasoning in a large size bowl.  Mix well.  Shape the meat mixture into four 3/4 inch patties.  To stuff them, divide the mixture into eight portions and shape them into 1/4 inch thick patties.  Place the stuffing on the centers of the four patties.  Top with the remaining patties.  Pinch the edges to seal.

For a charcoal grill, grill the stuffed or unstuffed patties on the rack of an uncovered grill directly over medium coals for 14 to 18 minutes or until done (160º F to 165º F).  Turn only once halfway through grilling.  If you’re using a gas grill then preheat your grill.  Reduce the heat to medium and place the patties on the grill rack over the heat.  Cover and grill as directed.

Serve the burgers on bread with spread and toppers.  Makes 4 burgers.

If you don’t have a grill or would rather use your oven then broil your burgers.  Preheat your broiler and place the patties on the unheated rack of a broiler pan.  Broil for 3 to 4 inches from the heat for 12 to 14 minutes or until done (160º F to 165ºF).  Turn only once.

If you like my Tiny New York Kitchen blogs, please consider "subscribing" and receive  new posts via email just as soon as I create them. Just click "get email updates" at this link: http://newcanaan.patch.com/blogs/victoria-hart-glavins-blog