Last blog of 2010..The Olive Burger

I apologize for the quality of the photo. Not the greatest presentation. I was entertaining and last minute shot before the end of the year. The Olive Burger. First time making it. Loved the spread I made for it and as always I put a fried sweet plantain on top. Mmmmm...

The Olive Burger

The Patty:

Ground Beef
Paprika
Garlic
Sliced Green and Black Olives
Chopped Red Peppers
Salt & Pepper

1. I didn't measure, I just eye ball it. Just don't over do it on the salt!

Olive Mayo Spread:

Mayo
Black Olives (finely minced)
Garlic
Onion Powder
Worcestershire
Japanese spice..my secret! :)

1. On our burger we used mayo spread on the bottom bun, romaine lettuce, tomato, provolone cheese, burger, onion, ketchup and more mayo spread on top. I did top mine with sweet plantain just because I like to. :) We also added sliced green olives on top.

Now, I've only ate one Olive Burger before this and it was at Checkers so it doesn't do it justice and I am not all that familiar. The olive mayo spread with my key hidden ingredient..is the winner! Cha ching! Voila! That made up the burger for me. I think I may omit the paprika next time though and put minced up olives as well in the meat instead of on top of the burger. That way you taste all the mayo spread and sliced olives. Mmmm...I don't think you can go wrong with a burger.

Beef, Chorizo, Black Bean Burger

I know, it has been a long while since I have blogged. Recently I did some cooking with my Sous Chef. No unveiling yet. Little camera shy. Haha. So this was some quick cooking and didn't quite turn out how I envisioned in my mind, but it was enjoyable when it was put together with all the fixins. My apologies, I don't remember measurements. I suggest just brain storming yourself and adding whatever flavors you like and see what you create.

Chef & Sous' 1st Burger

3 lbs of ground beef of choice
4 Goya chorizo links (casing removed, chopped in food processor)
1 medium red onion chopped
Cumin Powder
Minced Garlic
Black Pepper
Salt
Pimentos, minced
Black beans ,drained and mashed up a bit
Few squirts of Heinz Ketchup
Chopped Parsley

Mayo spread: (Sous Chef gets full credit on this. The best!)

Hellmans Mayo (Only the best)
Garlic
Horseradish
...and a little Japanese twist (some things have to remain a secret)

Fixins:
Hawaiian Bread
Boston lettuce
Thick sliced large Tomatoes
Gouda Cheese
Grilled Pineapple

This made 10 large burgers. The burger was falling apart a little. I forgot to add the soaked up bread cubes with milk. That tends to hold the shape and add a little extra flavor. I would have liked to add some BBQ sauce to it and Cilantro instead. We were going to add a fried plantain on top, but couldn't find any ripened Plantaines at the store. Pineapple and excellant alternative though.

The burger is self explantory on how to prepare. This was a trial and error type burger. I was so sad, but indeed it was quite enjoyable once on the bun, with the this excellent mayo spread..Thanks Sous, and the grilled pineapple.

I encourage anyone to think outside the box and experiment with flavors. Just think of flavors you like to burst out of your burger and create the layers of flavors with spices and assistance of other articles of food. Then layer on the other cast members that make the full presentation.

Most of all, I just enjoyed the whole experience and with company of Guinness and Sous.

Ultimate Black Bean Burger

I love my Cuban Black beans and a good burger. The thought of combining both together just sounded too good to pass up.

Ultimate Black Bean Burger

2 1/2 lbs of Ground Round
1/2 Red bell Pepper, diced
1 can of Plain Goya black beans, drained
1 Tbsp of minced garlic
1/2 cup thinly sliced Green Onions
Salt & Pepper
2 squeezes of Ketchup
Special seasoning mix (sorry..some things have to be left out until I copyright)

Bun of choice
Provolone Cheese
Romaine Lettuce
Sliced tomatoes
Fried Sweet Plantains
Ketchup

Just a note..this is how I made mine and of course you can always add or take away from it. I ran out of Mayo..otherwise I would have had little of that.

1. In a big bowl, add meat start breaking it down, I added my seasonings, then black beans, green onions, peppers garlic, salt & pepper and ketchup. Just give a good mix making sure everything is having fun together and flavors are meshed in well.

2. I formed them into thick 8 patties. I grilled them about 5 min on each side, depending how thick and how cooked or raw you want it. Mine was still juicy and fully cooked.

Assembly:

1. Bottom bun, sliced cheese, Plantains, lettuce, tomato, burger, add ketchup to top bun and top it off. Oh my goodness..

I could have ate too just based on the flavor, but I couldn't I was full of this hunk of a burger. Make sure though you do mix in the salt quite well and don't over salt it. I had a few spots that were salty than others do to not mixing in well. Rush rush I was to get this grilling...

Make up a burger, think outside the box, let me know.