Thursday, June 25, 2009

Magic in the Meat


I'm learning..

For those of you who are newer readers, I was a vegetarian for 8 years, and up until I first visited Z's parents' house 1 1/2 yrs. ago, I'd never tasted red meat.. Let alone cook it.

So being married to a meat & potatoes midwestern man has been an adventure. His parents raise a cow for meat every year so they always have fresh beef. I've tried my hand at making several meat- related dishes since being married, but I'd never made hamgburgers before..

When my cousin was recently visiting I decided to try. She suggested I throw some spices in the hamburger mix, and it turned out to be a very husband-pleasing meal!

Note: Yes those are forks in the meat. You really think I'd stick my hands in that stuff? ha.. I'm NOT that good yet. ;) So anyway, maybe this is old to all of you, but I thought I'd share what Z calls "the key ingredients", since it is, after all, BBQ season. Chances are you have way better tricks up your sleaves, but cut a veggie some slack! :)

It's as simple as: a couple pinches of basil, a good shake or three of pepper, and a healthy heap of McCormick's Grill Mates Montreal Steak seasoning. Then melt a delicious fresh sliced provolone cheese over the top & you'll have a man doing your dishes and mopping your floor in appreciation (k, maybe not.. but a girl can dream right?).

But, don't take it from the novice- what are your BBQ secrets? What makes your man do that growning "yum" sound? Any other veggies or former veggies who are still tryin to get a grip on this stuff?? Chime in!

8 comments:

d.a.r. said...

My hubby (who won't let me near the grill or anything that may end up on the grill) uses seasoning salt, crushed garlic, and sticks a cube of cheddar cheese into the middle of each burger patty :) They are deeeeelish!

Justine said...

My hubs likes A.1. Sauce on any type of red meat... Although surprisingly, I'm more of a red meat fan than he is... :)

Lucy Marie said...

One of my favorite burger recipes is Greek Feta Burgers. I throw some chopped olives, dill, garlic and feta cheese (along with some other stuff) in with them. The cheese melts throughout the burger as you grill them and it's SO delicious.

The recipe is posted here, if you are interested: http://lucyskitchen.blogspot.com/2009/05/greek-feta-burgers.html

Also, I just got a tupperware burger maker from a garage sale a few weeks ago (my mom had one when I was growing up) and it has made the burger making task SO much easier. It allows you to make the patties the perfect size and shape with a lot less hand-touching-meat action.

A New England Girl said...

Love the suggestions! I usually throw in a dash or two of Worcestershire sauce, some onion or garlic powder, basil, and occasionally whatever mixed spice we have in the cabinet. Adding in spices- no matter what kind- always just makes the burgers that much better! :)

leah @maritalbless said...

I don't have much by way of suggestions, but I do know that the less you handle the meat the better!

Bobby Flay actually just mounds them and doesn't put any seasoning into the meat, rather on the exterior of the meat.

Carol {Everyday Delights} said...

I'm not a vegiterian, but I seldom eat meat, especially red. And my fiance, Nick, loves meat! So I totalyl understand this post!! A few weeks ago I made turkey burgers, which was a good middle ground.

Angela said...

oh BBQ a great steak sprinkle with seasalt and some fresh veggie will make BF very happy.

Liana said...

this is such a great idea. i dont cook meat either, i'll eat it but i never mke it myself, but this looks doable so thanks :)