Sunday, April 25, 2010

Classic Burgers with Barbecue Spices


When you make sure to buy good quality ground beef, it's true that you can make it into delicious burgers with nothing more than a little bit of salt and pepper, and maybe some Worcestershire sauce. However, if you feel like adding a little kick to your burger meat, do I have the spice blend for you!


This spice blend is adapted from Weber's "Charcoal Grilling" and is our go-to rub for hamburgers. It's the perfect combination of spicy, sweet, salty, and pungent ingredients, and it's the only thing you need to add to your beef before forming patties. Forget the eggs, oatmeal, or bread crumbs; as Iron Chef Bobby Flay would say, these are burgers, not mini meat-loaves! Simplicity is best.


I mentioned a few weeks ago that I wanted to try a blend of cream cheese and blue cheese as a burger topping; I've had it since then and it's a new favourite. The creaminess and the strong flavour of the cheese really complements the beef.


I combine roughly equal amounts of the cheeses together, spread the mixture on some pita buns and then place them on the burgers when they're close to being done. Mouth-watering meltiness ensues. Mmmmm mmmm!


With your favourite fixings and condiments (lettuce, tomato, and lots of mustard for me) these classic burgers with barbecue spices make for the perfect summery meal. Simple, cheesy, juicy...what more can you ask for on a nice, grill-friendly day?


Classic Burgers with Barbecue Spices: The Recipe
Adapted from Weber's "Charcoal Grilling: The Art of Cooking with Live Fire" by Jamie Purviance

Ingredients
1.5 lb ground chuck (80% lean)

1 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp pure chili powder
1/2 tsp light brown sugar
1/2 tsp granulated garlic
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1/4 tsp celery seed
1/4 tsp ground cumin

Directions
Combine rub ingredients in a small dish. Add to ground chuck and gently incorporate. Form 4 equally-sized patties. Grill or fry as usual to your liking. Enjoy!

10 comments:

  1. The blue cheese spread adds a new compelxity to our burgers.

    Yum, Yum, Yum!

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  2. Your burger looks divine!
    I will surly give the rub a go on my next burger night. I am also a fan of blue cheese burgers!

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  3. Looks delicious! I love topping my burgers with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and swiss cheese over top of sautéed mushrooms! I am sure that the blue cheese would also go well with mushrooms! Thanks for sharing!

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  4. Yum indeed, Caf Rat!! xo

    Thank you, Camilla. Hope you enjoy! I'm quickly becoming addicted to blue burgers. :)

    Hi Mushrooms Canada! I agree that sauteed mushrooms would be amazing on this burger. Especially with caramelized onions. Mmmm, I smell a gourmet burger night! :)

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  5. Wow, that looks delicious. I can't wait for summer and bbq season.

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  6. I'm loving reading all your recipes. I'm actually located in Saint John and am a fellow foodie. Please feel free to stop by my blog too.

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  7. Thanks, All Things Yummy! Looks like it's finally here for good in my neck of the woods!

    Hi dinerschool! Thanks a lot; I certainly will stop by. :)

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  8. Amanda, I've found your blog by chance and had intended only to say hello. I started reading your earlier posts and stayed far longer than I had intended. I really like your recipes and will be back as often as I can. I hope you are having a wonderful day. Blessings...Mary

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  9. Thank you so much for the kind message, Mary! I really appreciate it. I hope you're enjoying the weekend. :)

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  10. wow, It looks delicious, I'm craving for your yummy burgers :)


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