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Good morning….or afternoon. One day last week while listening to the radio, after I read the “Press”, the talk was about hamburgers as this is hamburger month. Is it possible they read last weeks’ column saying the same thing? One never knows but I doubt it!  It is burger recipes today, specifically cooking them on the grill.  

But first, just a tip or two in regards to buying hamburger. If you’re storing it in the fridge for a day or two, flatten the hamburger so  the cold can penetrate it quickly. You can extend (stretch) the meat by adding a variety of cut-up veggies or cheese  blending them into the meat before making patties. Don’t overdo-it or it won’t taste like meat. This will make a very juicy, tasty burger.

You know what it’s about…….adding other ingredients to the hamburger meat.

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If you like pizza, try this.

PIZZA-TOPPED 
BURGERS
2 lbs. ground beef
1-8 oz. can pizza sauce
1/4 c. grated Parmesan cheese                                                                                                                                                           
1/4 c. finely chopped pepperoni
1 t. dried oregano, crushed
1/2 t. salt
8 slices mozzarella cheese
8 hamburger buns, split and toasted
1/4 c. sliced pepperoni

Combine hamburger  and next 5 ingredients. Shape into 16 thin patties. Grill over medium coals or medium heat 3-4 minutes. Turn; brush with some of the remaining pizza sauce mixture, not all of it. Continue to grill 2 minutes. Top each with a half-slice of mozzarella.  Grill 1 minute longer.  Serve two cheese-topped patties in each bun. Top with pepperoni slices  and remaining 1/4 c, pizza sauce.  Makes 8 servings.  Note: I cut the “points’ off each slice of cheese before putting them on the burger so they don’t extend over the edge.  Toast the un-buttered split buns  on the grill when the burgers are almost done, watching so they don’t burn! The burgers can  be made substituting ground pork (not pork sausage)  for hamburger. I guess I like using hamburger as “holds together” better than the pork.

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STUFFED 
HAMBURGERS
1 c. packaged herb-seasoned stuffing mix
1 T. snipped parsley
1 t. lemon juice
1-1/2 lbs. hamburger
1/4 c. each, minced celery and onion
1/4 c. milk
2 t. Worcestershire sauce
1/2 t. salt

Prepare stuffing mix according to pkg. directions. Stir in parsley and lemon juice; set aside.  Combine hamburger with remaining ingredients. Shape meat mixture into 12 thin patties  about 3-1/2-inches in diameter.  Spoon 2 T. stuffing mix onto 6 of the patties. Top with remaining patties, sealing edges.  Grill over medium coals or medium heat 6 minutes; turn and grill about 6 minutes longer or until desired doneness.  Makes 6 servings.

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This burger is almost the way Mom made them, minus 3 or 4 ingredients…..memories.

JAZZY BURGERS
3/4 c. soft bread crumbs, trimming crusts, tearing into small pieces  (about 1-1/2 slices of bread)                                                                                                                                                              
1/3 c. milk
1/4 c. each, ketchup and finely chopped onion
1 T. prepared mustard
1 t. prepared horseradish
1 t. Worcestershire sauce
1/2  t. salt
1-1/2 lbs. hamburger
6 hamburger buns, split and toasted

In a large bowl, combine first 8 ingredients. Add beef; mix well. Shape into patties, 1/2 –inch thick. Grill over medium coals or medium heat 3-4 minutes. Turn and grill 3-4 minutes or till desired  doneness. Serve in toasted buns toasting as in first recipe.  Makes 6 servings.

Thought for the Day: This coming Sunday is Mothers’ Day. Be sure to give your Mom a hug and a kiss and thank her for all she has meant to you and all she has done for you.. If your Mom has passed on, silently tell her the same and blow her a kiss. All who are mothers, have a joyous a day with your family.

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