Yummlicious Hamburgers

My hubby and I looked all over for the best hamburger recipe.  We think we finally found it!   We initially started with changing where we bought our beef.   We now buy a locally grown cow that is butchered. We find the ground beef is so much tastier.   My sister in law has hooked us up with one that her parents grow on their farm in Idaho.  But you can also check out utahnaturalmeats.com.  Their meat is really good as well.  I highly suggest you get grass fed local meat to cook with.  The benefits are far greater than taste.   There is less fat and the fat is a healthier fat when they are grass fed.

This recipe originally came from the America's Test Kitchen book.  It is an amazing book with great recipes!!

Yummlicious Hamburgers.   

1 slice bread, remove crust and discard.  Break bread up into small pieces.

2 T whole milk

2 tsp.  A-1

1 tsp crushed garlic (I buy the pre-minced garlic, love the stuff!)

3/4 tsp salt

3/4 tsp black pepper

1 1/2 lbs lean ground beef

In a large bowl add bread and milk.  Using a fork break bread up in milk until it is all moist and well mixed.  Add A-1 garlic, salt, and pepper and then ground beef.   Use a fork or your hands and mix all ingredients together until beef and bread are well incorporated.   Divide the meat into portions.  The original recipe suggests 4 servings.  We like ours a little thinner so do 5-6.   Form a loose ball with 1/5 of the mixture and then press between your hands turning it in a little circle to make a patty.  Press down in the center to make it a little thinner, repeat with the rest of the meat.  

Preheat the gas grill turning the burners on to high and allowing it to heat with the lid down.   Brush the grate clean and after it is hot place the burgers on the grill.   Cook the burgers for 3-4 minutes on each side, top with cheese if desired and the burger sauce that follows.  

Burger Sauce  (also from America's test kitchen)

3/4 cup mayo

2 T  soy sauce

1 T brown sugar

1 T worcestershire sauce

1 tsp garlic minced

3/4 tsp black pepper

Wisk all ingredients in a bowl serve on burgers.  You want a lot of sauce on each, I usually do a large spoonful on the bottom and another on the top.  It oozes out and you can dip the burger in the extra.  Oh so good!!

ENJOY!!

  

Chow Mein Casserole

This is yet another staple from my childhood. So good with yummy veggies on the side! Usually I make it with the option of the extra rice. I love rice! But in the interest of time I didn't today. Try it and let me know what you think!

Chow Mein Casserole
1 lb hamburger browned and drained
1Tbsp soy sauce
2 Tbsp dry onion
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1-1/2 cups water
1/2 cup rice

Combine ingredients in a 2 quart casserole dish. Bake uncovered at 350 for 30 minutes. Uncover and spread one can chow mien noodles on top. Return to oven for 15 minutes, Uncovered. You can increase the rice to one cup and the water to three cups just cook for 45 min to an hour instead.

Meatloaf

I ate this meatloaf quite frequently growing up.  It was a little drier than I remember, but then I was a little skimpy on the topping,  I usually double the topping recipe as it is my favorite part.  This also made more than I remember and I put it in two loaf pans,  I think it would have been better in just one pan--thicker.  Try it and enjoy.  It is great for sandwiches the next day too!

2 lb lean ground beef  (or half turkey half beef)
1 cup tomato sauce
1 2/3 cup oatmeal
2 eggs
1 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper

1/3 cup catsup
1 Tbsp brown sugar or molasses
1 Tbsp mustard

Combine all ingredients;  mix well.  Shape to form 2 loaves (or just one)  Place in 9 x9 inch galss baking dish or loaf tins.  Mix barbecue sauce topping ingredients together and spread over top of loaves.   Bake in preheated oven at 350 for 1& 1/2 hours.