Hamburgers for Grown-ups

Don't you just love biting into those big, juicy burgers with all the trimmings? With the mayo and the juices from the tomatoes dripping down your fingers. Well, hubby and I both love it. We also love the taste of burgers grilled in real charcoal.

I had made a grown-up version of the the typical hamburger for dinner last night. It's takes more effort than a regular burger because of the grilling but the taste is so much more satisfying. Here's my version:

Grown-up Hamburger
1/2 kilo ground sirloin
3 egg yolks
1-2 cloves garlic, very finely minced
Worcestershire sauce
Salt and pepper
Jalapeno peppers, sliced (optional)
3-4 tablespoons butter, chilled
Mayonnaise
Wasabi paste
Lettuce
Cucumbers, sliced in disks
Cheese of your choice
3 sesame-seed hamburger buns



1. In a medium bowl place ground beef, egg yolks, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper and jalapeno (if using). Carefully mix with a fork. Do not squish.
2. Take a medium-sized ball, place a pad of butter in the middle. Roll and shape into your desired patty size.
3. Grill over hot coals for about 10 minutes on each side (for well done), less for medium. (if you like it medium, make sure that your sirloin is VERY fresh).
4. Remove from the grill and wrap in aluminum foil to seal in the juices. Keep warm in a 200 degree oven. Open foil and place cheese on top just until melted.

To make Wasabi Mayo:
Mix Wasabi and mayonnaise. Mix well.

To assemble:
1. Toast the hamburger buns.
2. Spread wasabi mayo on the bottom of a hamburger bun, top with lettuce then cucumber then the burger with cheese. Top with the other halt of the hamburger bun.

Hubby preferred quickmelt cheese over his burger (pictured below). Mine was smeared cream cheese (pictured above).



I decided to serve the burgers with a grilled pepper salad with balsamic dressing. You will need:

Grilled Pepper Salad with Balsamic Dressing
1 large yellow bell pepper, julienned
1 large green pepper, julienned
1 red onion, sliced into rings
Balsamic vinegar
Olive oil
Salt and pepper
Mixed lettuce

1. Mix Balsamic vinegar, olive oil, salt and pepper. Mix well.
2. Toss vegetables in the balsamic dressing. Soak for 15 minutes.
3. Grill over hot coals until slightly charred.
4. Remove from coals and put back in the balsamic dressing.
5. Place the peppers on top of a bed of mixed lettuce.

Eating burgers will never be complete without a milkshake. Our choice was an avocado milkshake. Perfect for a hot summer night.



Avocado Milkshake
1 medium avocado, pitted and diced, chilled
1 1/2 cups non-fat milk (or whole milk), chilled
2-3 tablespoons condensed milk (or sugar)

Place everything in a blender. Serve immediately.

Prepare yourself to be stuffed.