Monday, October 18, 2010

Best. Burgers. Ever.

The Filipin-laws (my new extended family of in-laws), came over yesterday for "lunch". Lunch, meaning 5-6 hours of hanging out. It was suuuuper fun. The little kids don't go to the beach very often so we had a big lunch, and then some people played poker, and the rest of us walked down the street with the kids to the beach.

The weather was not all that great yesterday, so the kids didn't have their swimsuits. The water was fairly warm and the kids were excited so they would run up to the water line until a wave started to come in, and then scream hysterically and let the wave hit their feet and giggle and carry on. Super cute. Until the big waves sneak in there. And then next thing you know, all the kids are drenched from head to toe, in their clothes, having the best time ever. It was so funny. They didn't care at all.

Anyway, what do you make for 25 family members coming over for lunch? Burgers and brats of course. And cheesy potatoes. Of which I am eating the leftovers as we speak. Three types of burgers, three types of sausages with bell peppers and onions, cheesy potatoes, rice, fruit salad, and chips. Success.

I have been looking for a good burger recipe for a while. I feel like I always have fantastic burgers when they are someone else's. Like there is this amazing secret burger recipe that everyone knows except me. So, I went out on a limb with three different recipes. Yes, 3, because I had to buy 6 lbs of ground beef.


Cheesy Factor (1 no cheese, 10 all cheese): 1 unless you are me, then 5
Dummy Factor (1 easiest, 10 hardest): 2
Time Factor (1 shortest, 10 longest): 1

Juicy Burgers
2 lbs. ground beef
1 package of powdered ranch dressing mix
1 egg, lightly beaten
3/4 cup crushed saltine crackers
1 onion, finely chopped (optional)

Preheat grill or pan to high heat. Mix all ingredients in bowl. Form into patties. Cook on grill about 5 minutes per side. Add cheese (optional).


Juicy Burgers II
2 lbs. ground beef
1 package of french onion soup mix
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce

Preheat grill or pan to high heat. Mix all ingredients in bowl. Form into patties. Cook on grill about 5 minutes per side. Add cheese (optional).


Teriyaki Burgers
2 lbs. ground beef
1/4 cup Teriyaki sauce
1 small can (3 oz) French-fried onions
    
Preheat grill or pan to high heat. Mix all ingredients in bowl. Form into patties. Cook on grill about 5 minutes per side. Add cheese (optional). 


There you have it. Three dang-good burger recipes. All easy as pie. Easier than pie, actually.