Beyond the Basic Burger

Nothing beats the flavor of a grilled burger. My family loves this time of year - dinner grilled on the deck, drippy slices of watermelon, and the television forgotten for one evening. Now I love the basic burger, but sometimes it's fun to roll up the sleeves and get creative. Try some of these variations on the burger - I think you and your family will find a new favorite.

*Pizza Burgers* The kids favorite, hands down. Adults like them too.

1 1/2 lb ground meat 2 t. Italian seasoning 1 t. salt 1/4 c. sliced black olives 1/4 c. sauteed mushrooms 1/4 c. bell pepper slices 1/2 c. pizza sauce 4 slices mozzarella 4 hamburger buns or Italian bread

Mix the meat with the Italian seasoning and salt. Pat the meat into four patties. Grill the patties for 12 minutes, turning once. Top each with a slice of mozzarella and let the cheese melt. Toast the bread on the grill. Placed cooked burgers in the bread and top with pizza sauce, olives, mushrooms, and bell pepper slices. A little messy, but fun!

*Taco Burgers* Another kid favorite. Interesting texture and the meat blends well with the spices.

1 1/2 lb ground meat 1/4 c. crushed tortilla chips 2 T. bottled taco sauce ( use up those packets of fast food sauce) 1 t. salt 1 t. pepper 4 buns 1 c. shredded cheddar cheese Sliced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, additional taco sauce

Mix the ground meat with the chips, taco sauce, salt and pepper. Pat into 4 patties. Grill for 12 minutes, turning once. Toast the buns and top with a cooked burger. Top with cheddar cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, and taco sauce.

*Brie Burgers* A more grown-up kind of burger.

1 1/2 lb ground meat 1 t. salt 1 t. pepper 4 T. Brie cheese 4 kaiser or onion rolls sliced sweet onion, sliced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, Dijon mustard

Mix meat with salt and pepper. Pat into four patties. Make a large indentation in the center of each patty with your thumb. Fill the indentation with a tablespoon of Brie and then cover with meat to seal the cheese inside. Grill for 12 minutes, turning once. Toast the bread and top with a cooked burger. Serve with onion, tomatoes, lettuce, and mustard.

*Meatloaf Burgers* My mother used to make these all the time. A good use of leftover veggies.

1 1/2 lb ground meat 1 egg 1/2 onion, chopped 1/2 pepper, chopped 1/4 c. bread crumbs 1/4 c. chili sauce 1 t. salt 1 t. pepper 4 hamburger buns Mustard, ketchup, pickles, lettuce, tomato slices, etc.

Mix the meat with the egg, onion, pepper, bread crumbs, chili sauce, salt, and pepper. Form into four patties. Grill for 12 minutes, turning once. Toast the bread and top with a cooked burger. Serve with hamburger toppings.

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