Stuffed Mushroom BBQ Burgers

One of my favorite appetizers in the world is stuffed mushrooms. I don't know why but I rarely make them. I think about them and drool over them often, but it's just not something I end up cooking! This past weekend I was really craving some and hubby was craving a BBQ burger. So, we improvised and created one of our absolute favorite burgers ever -- Stuffed Mushroom Burgers. They are crazy good. They are actually more of a "Deconstructed" stuffed mushroom burger because the mushrooms are on top of the burger, while the "filling" is in the center of  the burger. Did I mention the filling has bacon in it? And cream cheese? And Parmesan cheese? And other yummy things? I didn't?! Well, it does. These would be perfect for Memorial Day, since it's coming up so soon! You should probably make them.

[Here's a picture of the filling before the "top" of the burger was put on and sealed.]

Deconstructed Stuffed Mushroom BBQ Burgers Recipe: 

{Print Recipe}

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds ground beef (15%)
• 1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce
• Salt
• Pepper
• 8 ounces cream cheese
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 5 slices bacon, cooked & crumbled
• 3 heaping tablespoons green onion, sliced
• 5 ounces shredded parmesan cheese - divided
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 12 ounces sliced mushrooms
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1/4 cup beer (optional)
• 6 large hamburger buns
• Green leaf lettuce
• Condiments - mayonnaise, mustard, etc.

Instructions:

In a mixing bowl combine cream cheese, garlic, bacon, green onion, about 3 ounces of the parmesan, onion powder and salt. Mix well. Form into a 6" log, place in saran wrap, roll and place in refrigerator for 1-2 hours, or until somewhat firm.

Combine ground beef, worcestershire, salt and pepper to taste, and divide into 12 parts. Flatten each piece until very, very thin. Remove cream cheese log from fridge and slice into 6 even discs. Place one disc in the center of one of the flattened patties and top with additional flattened patty. Seal edges and flatten. (You definitely don't want it to be super balled up at this point or your end result will be a huge burger ball.)

Lightly grease the grill and prepare it for direct heat grilling. Place burgers on grill, cover and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side. Remove from grill and wrap in foil.

Place butter in medium skillet over medium heat and melt. Add mushrooms and garlic. Cook for 4-5 minutes and add beer. Cook for additional 4-5 minutes, or until beer has mostly cooked out and mushrooms are a golden brown.

Place your burger on your bun, top with mushrooms and a sprinkling of parmesan cheese. Add lettuce and any other condiments you choose. [We, personally, kept them simple and just used the mayo and the lettuce so we could really taste the burger. The filling is very, very flavorful and delicious!]

Brandied Mushroom Burgers

I'm starting to believe that my cravings for this pregnancy were trying to tell me all along that I was having a boy. When I was pregnant with my daughter all I wanted was dessert, fruit and mexican food. This time... all I want is greasy, cheesy, fried man-food. Especially burgers. I could live on burgers right now. And fries with tons of ketchup... mmm. It's been such a struggle not to gain 500 pounds this pregnancy, but somehow I've made it this far and haven't done so bad! Probably because I haven't actually allowed myself to eat said greasy food every single day... Yeah, that's probably why.

The other night my hubby specifically requested a burger for dinner and I was so happy. I decided to use what I had on hand and whip up what can only be described as... a delicious burger. It's true. That's the best way to describe it. I'm going to be making these burgers again very, very soon because we couldn't get enough of them and I have a feeling you won't be able to either!

Brandied Mushroom Burgers Recipe: {Print Recipe}

Ingredients:

2 pounds lean ground beef

2 tablespoons butter

2 tablespoons oil

1 large onion (sliced)

2 tablespoons brandy

2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

1 beef bouillon cube (crushed)

1 tablespoon ketchup

1/4 cup water

4 large hamburger buns

4 slices swiss cheese

lettuce, sliced onion, tomato (whatever toppings you like!)

Instructions:

Season and form 4 hamburger patties from the ground beef (I use seasoning salt and pepper). Sear and cook burgers in a skillet over high heat, only turning once (about 5-6 minutes per side, or until cooked how you like it). Add cheese during the last minute of cooking. Remove from pan. 

Add 2 tablespoons butter and 2 tablespoons oil to pan and reduce to medium heat. Add onions and mushrooms. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5-6 minutes, or until onions are soft. Add Worcestershire sauce, beef bouillon, ketchup and water. Turn up the heat slightly, bring to a boil, and simmer until most of the liquid is gone. Serve over the top of the burgers. Top with lettuce, onions, tomatoes and whatever condiments you like. 

Recipe yields 4 large burgers.

Ranch Burgers

The picture above is not the prettiest of pictures. Mostly because it was taken with my husband's iPhone. But, one thing you will have to admit is that these burgers look messy... and delicious. See that stuff dripping out the sides? That there is creamy Ranch dressing, my friends. See those gorgeous little translucent morsels on top? Those are sauteed onions. There's also a lovely layer of swiss cheese in there, along with a little lettuce and a little tomato. This tasty little creation is known as the Ranch Burger. I basically made these little beauties to appease my husband. I will tell you why...

My dear, sweet hubby grew up in a small little town up in the mountains. Or maybe it was a village. Yeah, I think it was more of a village... Well, he grew up there and there was a place that they used to eat pretty much every week. It was a little hamburger stand that served what my husband's whole family has deemed the "best burgers ever." When we were dating, he took me to said hamburger joint and showed me what all the fuss was about. Well, I can tell you that the burgers really were divine. Plus, they came with a huge serving of curly fries (my favorite!) We've only gone back once since that time, so my poor husband has had to go without the delicious ranchy burgers for years. Well, being the sweet and wonderful wife that I am, I decided to recreate his favorite childhood burger and score some bonus points (just in time for Christmas!) He said that my burger definitely reminded him of the original ranch burger (maybe even better!) Success.


Ranch Burger Recipe: {Print Recipe}
Serving size: 4 Burgers

4 french rolls (or "hoagie" rolls)
2 tbsp butter (softened)
2 pounds ground beef (we use 20% because it makes the best burgers, but you can go leaner!)
Seasoning salt
Pepper
2 onions (diced)
4 slices of Swiss Cheese (cut in half)
Shredded lettuce
Sliced tomato
Ranch Dressing (the homemade kind is the best!)
2 tbsp oil

Place oil in a large cast iron skillet or on the flat side of a grill (the ones that fit over your burners, or even one that plugs in!) Sautee onions until they are translucent and begin to brown (about 5-6 minutes). Remove onions and set aside.

Divide ground beef into 8 equal pieces and shape to fit your french rolls (long, oval, very flat and somewhat awkward is the best way to describe them). Season each side with seasoning salt and pepper. Turn fire under your grill or cast iron to high heat and place the patties on the surface. Allow them to sear for about 4-5 minutes, or until they get a nice crisp brown crust. Flip and sear for an additional 3-4 minutes or until burgers are cooked through. These burgers will cook quickly because they are so thin so keep an eye on them. During the last minute of cooking, place half a slice of swiss cheese on top of each patty and place a heaping pile of grilled onions on each. The onions will melt into the cheese and create a lovely, gooey mess.

While burgers are cooking, butter the inside of the bun and place each half on a hot grill or skillet over high heat for a minute (until bun is slightly toasted).

Sprinkle a handful of lettuce on the bottom bun, top with a few slices of tomato, followed by 2 burger patties. Pour on a tremendous amount of ranch dressing, throw on top bun, slice in half and devour quickly.

Grilled Garlic Parmesan Burgers

It's officially summertime! You know what that means... if you haven't already, it's time to break out the grill and get to cookin'! Without a doubt, summer BBQ's are the only thing that keep me sane during the hot summer months. Most of my summer days are spent sitting in front of the fan sipping on some delicious ice water and I can barely muster up the strength to get up and actually "do" anything, so cooking dinner usually sounds like the most miserable experience ever. I do, however, like to take advantage of the fact that my husband absolutely loves to grill. One of the things I love most about him is that during these unbearable months, he happily provides us with deliciously grilled dinners and I get to sit back and watch him sweat. 

This summer I have a lot of goals that i'm really hoping to accomplish. My number one goal is to get my house organized. Organization is not something that comes naturally to me. Oh no, quite the opposite... Pure and utter chaos and clutter is what comes naturally to me. I'm pretty sure that I will be seen on one of the episodes of "Hoarders" somewhere down the line. I can't seem to throw away anything and the countless boxes of my daughter's adorable drawings, her baby toys, her baby clothes and everything that she has ever owned over the past 6 years seem to be piling up. It doesn't help that my mother was the exact same way and she kept every single thing that I ever came in contact with. You know what the best part is? When I got married and got a place of my own, do you know what she did? She handed over every single box of mine that she had saved over past 18 years and said "Here you go!" Thanks Mom. So, now you understand why I have such a difficult time getting rid of anything! That's my story.

Now that I've got that off my chest, we can continue on to the delightful recipe that I have to share with you. I can't express how much I adore garlic. I use garlic in pretty much every meal that I make. What you must understand is that garlic was meant to go into your burger. Your burger is supposed to have fresh garlic in it. If your burger does not contain any traces of fresh garlic, then you, sir, or madam, are missing out! I double dog dare you to try this recipe and tell me that the garlic burger doesn't kick the butt of the regular old burger. Plus, the parmesan cheese gives it a whole new flavor dimension and texture that is out-of-this-world! 

Grilled Garlic Parmesan Burgers Recipe:   

{Print Recipe}

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds 20% fat ground beef
• 6 ounces parmesan cheese (grated)
• 8 cloves fresh garlic (finely minced)
• 1 tablespoon cold water
• Salt & pepper
• Dijon mustard
• Mayonnaise
• 6 large buns
• Green leaf lettuce
• Cheese (mozarella or monterey jack is great!)
• Tomatoes, onions, etc. 

Directions:

Combine ground beef, parmesan, garlic, water and salt and pepper. Form into 6 patties. 

Lightly grease the grill and prepare it for direct heat grilling. Place burgers on grill, cover and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side. If you are adding cheese, place it on the top of the burgers during the last minute of cooking.

Dress up your burger the way you like it. We like to use mayonnaise, dijon mustard, lettuce, fresh tomato and sliced red onion!