Grilled Favorites: Patty Melts with a Twist and Zesty Italian Burgers

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

27 Aug 2008 09:22 AM

The Labor Day holiday weekend is right around the corner and there's nothing like a big BBQ to say so long to summer. However, some cash strapped families feeling the pinch from high food prices and even higher gas prices might be tempted to cancel their picnic plans. Don't throw in the towel on your holiday grilling plans until you read the following recipes. Not only are they affordable, but they also feature basic ingredients that the entire family will enjoy. (Believe me; I know there's nothing more frustrating than seeing good meals go to waste because your kids are unfamiliar with the recipe's ingredients.)

The first recipe is for a basic Patty Melt, but it comes with a unique twist--instead of placing the cheese on top of the hamburger you tuck it inside the patty before grilling it. The result: An ooey-gooey, thick and juicy kicked up Patty Melt.

The other recipe puts a new twist on the classic hamburger. If your family loves all things Italian then they will be all over this Tuscan-inspired dish, which features Italian bread, Italian seasonings and Italian cheese.

KICKED UP PATTY MELT

Ingredients:

2 beef patties

1 slice Swiss cheese

2 slices onion

1/4 teaspoon onion salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 slices marble rye bread

2 tablespoons butter

Directions:

Preheat grill.

Place Swiss cheese between 2 hamburger patties and seal edges.

Grill patty for about 5 to 6 minutes per side.

Grill onion in pan on grill.

Place cooked burger on a slice of bread, add onion and top with second slice of bread. Butter the outside of each slice of bread and place sandwich on grill to toast the bread on both sides. Serve with favorite condiments.

Makes 1 burger. Multiply recipe to make desired number of burgers.

ZESTY ITALIAN BURGERS

Ingredients:

2 pounds ground chuck

3-4 tablespoons butter

2 cups thinly sliced fresh mushrooms

1/4 teaspoon minced garlic

1 small onion, diced

1/2 cup Italian style bread crumbs

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1/2 cup Italian seasoned tomato sauce

6 to 8 slices mozzarella cheese

Italian bread or hamburger buns

Italian seasoning

Directions:

Saute mushrooms in 1-tablespoon butter and 1/4 teaspoon minced garlic. Drain and place in small bowl.

Saute diced onion in 1-2 teaspoons of butter until tender. Let cool.

Preheat grill to medium-high heat.

Mix ground chuck, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, tomato sauce, and sauteed onions. Mix well. Shape into 6 to 8 patties.

Place burgers on grill; grill 4 to 6 minutes on each side until burgers are cooked through. When burgers are cooked; place 1 slice of mozzarella cheese on each burger. Remove burgers from grill and place on pan.

Lightly butter Italian bread slices or buns, sprinkle with Italian seasoning and grill.

Place burgers on bread or buns and add condiments as desired.

Makes 6-8 burgers.

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Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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