The Forbidden Burger

When I was young we rarely ate meat. In fact I feel that there was a time when we didn’t eat meat at all. If we did eat meat it was never “red meat”! I would watch T.V. and I would be fascinated by all the hamburger commercials. Square patties of ruby red meat sizzling sinisterly on shining, silver griddles. They called to me like sirens. I didn’t know why, but I needed to have one! Beef was dangerous, and forbidden. It was the rock n’ roll, the James Dean of meats! I knew that there was only one woman that could get me that contraband...Grammy! She was the first person to give me all the things I wasn’t allowed to have, for example chewing gum. The first time she gave me a piece I nearly lost my mind. I knew it would be big trouble if my folks found out, and eventually I realized the anxiety and guilt far outlasted the flavor. I was on a burger mission. I was obsessed. One evening my visiting Grammy was entrusted with babysitting me. My folks went out to dinner and it was suggested we do the same. My Grammy said she was going to take me to one of her favorite little places. I remember seeing that smiling star as we pulled up and I couldn’t wait to bust out of that child seat! We walked in and I was in heaven. A smiling young girl in a visor stood behind a register and welcomed me to “Carl’s Jr.” What a mystical and magical place this was, and I wasn’t sure who Carl was, but I was impressed! The young lady sweetly asked what I would like, and I said, “I would like some red meat please.” My Grammy laughed and ordered me a hamburger. We were handed our meal and we sat at one of their lovely tables. I took a big bite of my first hamburger and...well, it was gross. I didn’t like it at all! The texture was super weird and I kind missed my Mom’s “hamburgers” (that would be a falafel patty with ketchup and mustard). So I didn’t exactly fall in love with burgers that day, but they certainly grew on me as I got older. There are some nights that a burger just sounds nice! Ironically I don’t really eat beef at all, but I have been known to have a bison burger/steak every now and then.

I wanted to develop a recipe that would breathe a little life into the average burger. I have tried this recipe with bison, turkey, chicken, and I do believe it would make a tasty salmon burger. I am a fan of the chicken burger because of the amount of protein and the lack of fat. If you would like to use turkey and you want a texture similar to beef ask you can ask your butcher for ground dark meat. If you are a beef lover I encourage you to try this recipe.

Basil Burger w/ Jiffy Pickled Red Onions

This will make 4 burgers

1 lb of your favorite ground meat. (I have used chicken)
1 bunch of fresh basil chopped
1 to 3 cloves of chopped garlic (I love garlic so I go for 3)
sea salt and pepper to taste

“Jiffy Pickles”

Thinly sliced red onion and (preferably Persian) cucumbers
Seasoned rice vinegar
Place cucumbers, red onions, and rice vinegar in a bowl and set aside. These can marinate for 30 minutes to 24 hours. 30 minutes will do the trick.

Mix the meat, garlic, basil, with the salt and pepper. Create the patties and use an out door grill, a grill pan, or a skillet. Make sure the pan/grill is on medium heat. Lightly spray pan with oil. If you are using an out door grill you can brush a little oil on the grill surface. Grill over medium heat for 5 to 6 minutes per side. If you are using bison or beef cook until it reaches the desired “doneness”.