posted April 26, 2012 01:56 AM            

Been craving a really great burger lately (i know, bad!) and wanted to learn some tips on how to keep it super juicy and delicious.

Here's what came up over and over again:

Many sites say the secret is using evaporated milk (or skim), an egg, and bread in the meat (many call for breadcrumbs but comments from people say that changes the flavor, not for the better and most use plain bread).

Also let the mixture sit in the fridge to get it as cold as possible before forming patties and throwing them on the grill.

Don't overwork the meat when mixing. Use a spoon to mix rather than hands, because the warmth from your hands will effect the outcome. The key is keeping it as cold as possible before grilling and never using a spatula to flatten it out (squeezing all the juices out).

Make an indentation in the middle of the patty with your finger, so you don't end up with a rounded burger - one that expands in the middle.

For a long time I didnt eat meat and have never been really interested in cooking, so I'm probably the last person on the planet to learn that trick.

posted April 26, 2012 02:05 AM            

This is different! Going to try it sometime.

Little Miss Momma's Best Burger Recipe Ever, with Secret Sauce:
http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2011/10/best-burger-ever-recipe-with-secret-sauce.html

posted April 26, 2012 02:09 AM            

A burger with pineapple and pickled beets! Since I like Hawaiian pizza, i think I might like this too.

(i'm leaving the egg off of it)

Burgers the Australian Way http://dinersjournal.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/08/burgers-the-australian-way/#

posted April 26, 2012 02:18 AM            

Tips for a variety of different kinds of burgers (chicken, turkey, i think the tuna one is in there too):
http://allrecipes.com/howto/grilling-101-best-burgers/

Burgers Around the World: Beets, Pineapple, and Fermented Cabbbage

http://news.travel.aol.com/2011/03/10/burgers-around-the-world-beets-pinea pple-and-fermented-cabbba/

posted April 26, 2012 02:32 AM            

http://www.sippitysup.com/kabob-party-grilled-scallops-are-simple -and-really-really-ridiculously-good-looking

Shrimp and Scallop Kabobs video:

http://www.wonderhowto.com/how-to-prepare-and-grill-shrimp-and-scallop-kabobs-209476/

posted April 26, 2012 02:51 AM            

Grilled Bacon Wrapped Onions

http://www.redneckcooker.com/grilled-bacon-wrapped-onions/

Grilled Artichokes Stuffed with Breadcrumbs

http://deniseskitchen.wordpress.com/2009/04/23/grilled-stuffed-artichokes/

5 Ways to Eat Artichokes
http://www.thekitchn.com/five-ways-to-eat-artichokes-99288

posted April 26, 2012 02:56 AM            

Roasted red peppers from a jar are not only great on sandwiches but make a wonderfully flavorful spread when pureed and mixed with a little mayonnaise. Use this to enliven everything from grilled eggplant and zucchini to shrimp and leftover chicken.
Makes About 1/2 Cup

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup drained roasted red peppers from a jar
• 1 small garlic clove, put through a garlic press
• 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise

Directions

Combine the peppers, garlic, lemon juice, and cayenne in a blender and puree until smooth.

Scrape the mixture into a small bowl and stir in the mayonnaise until well combined.

posted April 26, 2012 03:08 AM            

http://ohmyveggies.com/recipe-stuffed-zucchini-with-cheesy-breadcrumbs/

Grilled Stuffed Squash
http://unchainedkitchen.wordpress.com/2010/08/30/grilled-stuffed-squash/

Another version of same:

posted April 26, 2012 03:18 AM            

Grillin' Fools
http://grillinfools.com/

Grilled Pumpkin

posted April 26, 2012 03:48 AM            

more must tries:

Campfire Fish Tacos with Chipotle Slaw
4 comments

http://grillinfools.com/blog/2010/06/09/campfire-fish-tacos-with-chipotle-slaw/

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http://steamykitchen.com/1528-grilled-fish-tacos.html

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http://www.grillingwithrich.com/grilled-fish-tacos

posted April 26, 2012 04:09 AM            

Curried Sweet Potato Chickpea Burgers http://www.thesweetslife.com/2011/04/curried-sweet-potato-chickpea-burgers.html

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Our Perfect Veggie Burger
http://ohsheglows.com/2011/07/13/our-perfect-veggie-burger/

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Boyfriend-Approved Spicy Black Bean Burgers

posted April 26, 2012 02:50 PM            

I mix them with an egg, bread, soaked in water and then drained, chopped onions, minced fresh parsley and lots of spices. Some people even put a spoonful of yogurt in the mixture to make it juicier.

posted April 26, 2012 03:52 PM            

LOL

Great tips. I have not yet read of mixing meats like that.

Two other things I've learned during research:

1) top chefs and grillers seem to recommend Chuck meat as the best for burgers or recipes that call for ground meat (like Shepards Pie)

Chuck is the toughest, so it's better when ground yet it is also the most flavorful. Just not easy to cook when it isnt ground.

The other is Salt...

Each recipe recommends something different. Most of them call for adding salt and pepper into your burger mixture durning prep. But I have read others that say do not add any salt at all because it will take the moisture out of the mixture. And instead sprinkle the patty with salt before grilling.

That one makes more sense to me, so I think I will do it that way.

The yogurt is a great tip! You just reminded me of a recipe I saw earlier - a Greek inspired burger, calling for a yogurt spread rather than mayo......will look it up and post it when i find it.

& i hope you are able to grill this summer!

Do you have not the space? or are you maybe worried you won't have the time?

I read a ton of reviews on different tabletop grills before I bought one and most guys mention that they are just as great as their big grills and more convienient.

Many of them come prepared to travel (foldable and lockable with handles). For people who do tailgating parties, or just don't have the space for a big one.

posted April 26, 2012 04:01 PM            

Greek Spinach Feta Burgers with Cucumber Yogurt Sauce
http://bakedbree.com/greek-spinach-feta-burgers-with-cucumber-yogurt-sauce

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Wednesday: Greek Turkey Burgers with "Z" sauce

http://clickandcookrecipes.blogspot.com/2011/07/wednesday-greek-turkey-burgers-with-z.html

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Hell yeah

& i like the idea of raw sliced cucumbers rather than pickles..

posted April 26, 2012 04:06 PM            

Here's a recipe that claims to be the world's best

posted April 26, 2012 04:17 PM            

I make a cold cucumber soup. It has the same ingredients, only I put water in the yogurt. dice up the cukes, add a pinch of salt, some fresh minced garlic, dill and also some people add crushed raw walnuts. It's called "tarator."
http://www.grouprecipes.com/5886/tarator-cold-yogurt-cucumber-soup.html

Aaaand I'd come live with you in a split second if you weren't a 26 hr drive from where I work.

I moved recently so I don't have an outside area at all. No more gardening or grilling for me

posted April 26, 2012 07:17 PM            

Yeah, it sucks you are so far away now ....or I am. Long way from home.

Stinks that you don't have an area to grill. There are always parks, but I think that would be much more of a hassle.

If you ever need a vaca near some palm trees and emerald green water, you know where to come.

I want teasel to come visit sometime too.

I just put my foil potatoes and red onions and herbs on. Mixed up my burger meat and it's in the frigde with some ice cubes in it. Will be starting that in a few.

posted April 26, 2012 07:50 PM            

Must be the Mars square Uranus aspect that inclines me to rush right into doing things haphazardly and without much thought. I even got special utensils, tongs & spatuala to flip things with ...and they were right next to me.

I ended up using them to turn it over. Which i should have done in the first place.

posted April 26, 2012 07:55 PM            

Post some piccies.

I've always wondered what your weather is like there.

posted May 01, 2012 08:55 PM            

I see how you people are.