Tuesday's Tip of the Day ~Taking your Grilled Burgers to the Next Level

Everyone loves Hamburgers on the Grill.

Instead of the plain white burger buns,

serve your burgers on a Focaccia loaf.

This one is Olive Oil and Rosemary.

Or on this Ciabatta loaf.

They are "take and bake".

Then, you can slice the loaf into individual portions.

Brush a little olive oil on top.

Bake according to package directions,

and it is a beautiful golden brown.

(It's usually about 8 minutes)

Look for this or a similar brand at your supermarket.

I put the bread in the oven...

when hubby takes our hamburgers out to the grill.

Cook hamburger until desired degree of doneness.

We prefer medium rare.

This one is topped with shredded Swiss cheese.

Our favorite is provolone with sauteed mushrooms,

on the Olive Oil & Rosemary Focaccia.

Enjoy!

Old Farmhouse Roast Beef in the Crockpot

1 Beef Roast

1 pkg. Brown Gravy Mix

1 pkg. Italian Salad Dressing Mix

1 pkg. Ranch Dip Mix

Combine mixes in a bowl for good distribution of  flavors.

When purchasing a roast, allow 1/2 pound per person.

Look for good marbling, as it adds flavor, tenderness and juiciness.

The Bread and Butter Roast is one of my favorites.

Press seasoning onto both sides of the roast 

and place in crockpot.

Cook on low for 8 hours.

Add liquid if needed.

Allow to stand for 20 minutes before carving.

Serve with the Au Jus.

Sloppy Joes ~My Mom's Recipe

Sloppy Joes

1/2 cup onion, minced

1/4 cup green or red pepper, diced

1/2 cup celery, chopped

1 lb. ground beef, browned

1 8 oz. can tomato sauce

1/4 cup tomato juice

1/4 cup catsup

1 tbsp. vinegar

1 tbsp. brown sugar

1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce

1 tsp. salt

1/8 tsp. pepper

I use half turkey and half beef...

it is your preference.

Brown the ground meat together in your skillet, 

breaking it into bite size pieces.  

Cook until no pink remains.

While the meat is cooking, chop your vegetables.

Drain the browned meat in a colander.

Saute the onions, peppers and celery in the same pan.

To the meat and vegetables, add the rest of the ingredients.

Simmer approximately 1 hour...

or until the desired consistency.

Serve on a bun with your favorite sides.

Classic Chili in the Slow Cooker

Classic Chili

1 yellow onion

1 red bell pepper

3 cloves garlic

4 tbsp. chili powder

1 tbsp. cumin

2 lbs. ground beef

1 28 oz. can diced tomatoes with green chilis

1 14 oz. tomato sauce

2 cans beans, rinsed and drained

Brown the ground beef, until no pink remains.

Chop the onion, pepper and garlic,

Saute until softened.

Drain and rinse the beans.

Add all ingredients along with the seasonings to your slow cooker.

I like to add some oregano and basil...

...and for some extra kick, crushed red pepper.

Cover and cook until the chili thickens and the flavors blend, 

about 6 hours on the high setting.

Serve with

Sour Cream

Shredded Cheddar Cheese

Thinly sliced Green Onions

Chris's Chislic ~ Cowboy Candy

Chris's Chislic

3 pounds beef sirloin, cut into 1/2" cubes

1/4 cup brown sugar

2 tsp. garlic powder

1 tsp. onion powder

2 tbsp. chili powder

2 tsp. ground chipotle chile pepper

2 tbps. salt-free seasoning blend

1 tsp. smoked paprika

3/4 cup Worcestershire Sauce

black pepper to taste

Mix the seasonings and worchestershire sauce.

Trim away as much exterior fat as possible.

Cut beef into uniform sized cubes.  

My electric knife makes this easier.

Place beef cubes in a large mixing bowl. 

Pour seasoning mixture over and marinate in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight.

Thread onto bamboo skewers.

(be sure to soak the skewers in water)

Cook over medium heat for 3 to 5 minutes, 

or to your desired degree of doneness.

Serve with Ranch Dressing for dipping.

Chislic, or grilled cubes of seasoned beef sirloin are a midwest specialty.

I posted a variation on this Chislic recipe last summer.

Click here to revisit that recipe.

Spicy Cheeseburger Sliders

Spicy Cheeseburger Sliders

1 pound lean ground beef

9 party size buns, split, divided

1 clove garlic, minced

1/2 tsp. ground chipotle pepper

2 slices pepperjack cheese, cut in quarters

Optional toppings:

BBQ sauce, ketchup, mustard,

lettuce, tomato slices, onion, pickles

Tear one hamburger pun into pieces, Place in food processor or blender. 

Cover and pulse to form fine bread crumbs.

Combine bread crumbs, chipotle pepper, garlic and ground beef.

Mix lightly, but thoroughly. 

Shape into eight 1/2 inch thick mini patties.

Place patties on grill over medium heat. 

Cook 8-9 minutes, turning occasionally, until desired degree of doneness.

Top with cheese during the last minute of grilling.

Serve with your desired toppings.

Enjoy!

(sorry, our outdoor umbrella is red, so the photos have a pink-cast!)

Old Farmhouse Beef Stew

 

1 lb. beef stew meat

4 slices bacon, cut into 1 inch pieces

1 medium onion

1 pkg. fresh mushrooms

1 jar brown gravy

1 can diced tomatoes, undrained

1 tsp. thyme leaves

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. pepper

2 carrots

3 potatoes

Heat enough oil to coat the bottom of your skillet.

Cook beef and bacon over medium-high heat

until beef is browned.  Drain.

Mince the onion and slice the mushrooms. Add to the pan.

Cook until onions are transluscent
and mushroom have cooked down.

Combine gravy, tomatoes, thyme, salt and pepper. 

Add to the beef mixture and stir gently.

Cover and simmer for 1 to 1 1/2 hours
or until meat is nearly tender

Peel vegetables. Slice carrots and dice potatoes.
Add to the pan and simmer 30 minutes more.

If desired, thicken with cornstarch & water.

Slow cooker option

Combine ingredients in slowcooker. Stir gently to mix.
Cover and cook on low setting for 8 to 10 hours untill beef and vegetables are tender.