Calling All Soup-er Heroes Take 2

It has been rainy and miserable the last couple weeks.  I finally was fed up with it and decided to make soup.  I was holding out as long as possible since I don't want to think about Fall being here already.  This soup is a remake of this one....this time it was even better.  My boys loved it. If they could bring HOT soup in their lunches, they would have definitely brought this warming soup.  BTW these two superheroes loved this soup.

Njnja Dragon (BAP) & Cap'n America (SSP)

Soup-er Hero Soup

adapted from: http://www.apinchofjoy.com/2012/01/superhero-cheeseburger-soup/

3/4 cup chopped onion

2 large carrots, peeled and shredded

1/4lb bacon, chopped

1/2 lb ground beef

1 t pepper

4 cups beef broth

1 1/2 cups half and half

2 T unsalted butter

2 boxes Loaded Baked Potato mix 

2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded

In a 2quart pot cook bacon.  Remove bacon and grease. Stir in ground beef, onion and carrots with pepper. Cook until thoroughly cooked, crumbled and onions are translucent.  Pour in broth with butter and potatoes from the mix. Cover and boil about 25 minutes (until potatoes are softened and cooked). Slowly sprinkle in powder from the potato mix. Stir well to combine then incorporate half and half about 1/2 cup at a time.  This powdered mix with thicken your soup.  Serve with cheese and bacon bits sprinkled on top.

Slide In To Home...

Perfection!  I love it when my boys will eat something more than once (even if I doctor it up a bit the second - or tenth - time).  Today is one of my brother's birthday.  He loves the kids and we all love him.  We have many happy memories together (growing up he and I would go on Sunday coffee/steamer dates).  This recipe is for him as well as a great kick off for the summer grilling season.

(One of Many) Favorite Uncle Playing Jenga

Oven Baked Burgers
inspired by: http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/2016/06/baked-cheeseburger-sliders.html

1 1/2pounds ground beef (used lean)
3T bbq sauce
1 t onion powder
1 t garlic powder
2 eggs
1/2 pkg ranch dressing packet
1T Worcestershire sauce
1 pkg Hawaiian rolls (I used 8-mini hoagie rolls)
12slices cheese (sharp is awesome)

Preheat oven to 400.  Grease a 9x13pan.  Kneed together all ingredients (except rolls and cheese). Spread thinly on the bottom of the pan.  Prick with a fork.  Bake for about 25minutes.
Separate rolls as you would open up roll.  Don't separate into individual rolls!  Place 6 slices of cheese on the bottom layer. Top with cooked meat. Top with last 6 slices and roll tops. Now cut into individual rolls.  Serve with  your favorite burger toppings.

Wrapped Up Tight

My boys are like other kids in the regard that they love it when I am creative with food.  A while back I made these hot dogs, they loved them. Now that I know that they liked those I am making those burger wraps.  Here are both recipes for you to enjoy with your little ones (or young at heart) loved ones. Enjoy!

Mummy Dogs
adapted from: http://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/recipes/a18055/litl-smokies-mummy-dogs-recipe-hf1211/

1 (32 ct) little smokies package (8 hot dogs cut into fourths work too)
1 pkg crescent rolls.

Preheat oven to 375. Place parchement paper on a cookie sheet. Roll out crescent dough.  Seal seams. Cut into 32 strips. Wrap each hot dog piece/little smokie.  Place on cookie sheet and bake 11minutes. Serve with ketchup and mustard.


Crescent Rolled Burgers
adapted from: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/229395/mini-crescent-roll-burgers/

2 pkg crescent rolls
1 lb hamburger, browned with some salt, pepper and onions (fat drained off)
2 cups shredded cheese

Preheat oven to 350. Combine meat and cheese in a bowl. Place 1 tablespoon of meat mixture on crescent roll.  Roll as you would to bake them. Place on a parchment lined cookie sheet. Bake for 15minutes.  Serve with ketchup.

Cheeseburgers In Disguise

Recently I made these burgers.  I am glad I could trick BAP and SSP into eating them.  I just called them cheeseburgers. Down they went! Note to self mark this recipe as a win-win. So delicious even on a Friday evening. mmm...I am looking forward to making these again soon.

Black Bean Burgers (done right)
adapted from:   http://iowagirleats.com/2012/06/18/chipotle-black-bean-burgers/

1 (15oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 small red onion, diced small
1 chipotle pepper with adobo sauce (I used about 1t powdered chipotle)
2 garlic cloves
1/2 t cumin
1/4 t salt
3/4 cup corn kernels (if frozen, thawed and drained)
3/4 cup crushed tortilla chips

In a food processor, puree together the 3/4 beans, onion, chipotle pepper, garlic, cumin and salt. Scrap to another bowl and add remaining beans, corn and crushed tortilla strips. This mixture will be very wet. Divide mixture into fourths. Place on a plate and let rest in the fridge for 30minutes so they can firm up some.  Cook on a greased griddle about 7min per side (until lightly golden brown). Top with cheese...pepperjack is good. Serve with salsa and guacamole on a bun.

One Proud Mama

I am always  a proud Mama when BAP and SSP eat what I give them instead of making a fuss.  I thought burgers sounded good; SSP asked for cheese hamburgers too.  Incidentally today is his Feast Day. Perfect!  My boys LOVED them. Even though I did not have buns, using tortillas was the perfect substitute for the boys. We have some leftovers, so my dear husband gets one tomorrow in his lunch.

Gourmet (Kid-Pleasing) Burgers

1 pkg ground turkey

1 pkg ranch dressing mix

1 1/2 t Italian seasoning

2 T ketchup

2 t Worcestershire sauce

Heat oven to 350.  Mix all ingredients together in a bowl; knead together well.  Scoop and shape into 6 patties.  Melt some butter with bacon grease in a cast iron pan.  Brown 3 burgers at a time. Place on a parchment lined (lipped) cookie sheet.  Bake for 25-35minutes (until internal temperature registers 180).  Taking a tortilla place one slice of cheese on the bottom. Top with burger and another slice of cheese. Fold tortilla all around patty. Smoosh a little to melt. Enjoy by dipping in ketchup, bbq sauce or ranch dressing.

Burger Specialty

Today being Father's Day I thought I would share a special burger recipe.  My dad, husband and father-in-law all LOVE burgers. This recipe is out of the ordinary but super good and flavorful.  BAP and SSP loved this recipe too. It was a definite winner.  Super good and super easy.

Cheeseburger Pie
adapted from: http://www.melissassouthernstylekitchen.com/2014/02/bacon-cheeseburger-pie.html

Crust
1 pkg (20oz) refrigerated hashbrowns
2 medium (1 large) eggs, beaten

Filling
1/3 pkg bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 onion, diced
1 lb ground beef
2 t Montreal Steak Seasoning
2 T Worcestershire sauce
1/2 t garlic powder
1/2 t onion powder
1/2 cup crushed Dorito chips
1/2 cup ketchup
1 T mustard
4 medium (2 large) eggs
1 cup shredded cheese

Mix hashbrowns and eggs.  Press into a deep greased pie plate. Bake at 375 for about 15minutes until slightly golden.
After cooking bacon, brown ground beef and onions until done.  Add Montreal steak seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder,  and Worcestershire sauce.  Remove to a bow. Stir in chips, ketchup and mustard.  Cool slightly and stir in eggs and cheese. Add into pie shell. Bake at 350 for about 45minutes.  Serve with extra cheese (if desired), ketchup, mustard and sauteed mushrooms.  Perfect.

Its A Miracle....

The boys ate their dinner without much of a complaint.  Tonight I made hamburgers. Typically when I make burgers I make hot dogs on the side for the boys.  However I did not have the 'luxury' of having hot dogs on hand.  BAP and SSP were eager to try the burgers they diligently watched me make. BAP ate all of his; SSP ate about half his.  It was a miracle that they actually ate them.

Miracle Burgers

1 1/2 pound ground beef (1 pound ground elk and the other 1/2 pound was ground beef)

1 t Worcestershire sauce

1 t granulated garlic

1 t granulated onion

1/2-1 t mesquite seasoning

1 t dried spinach

Mix all ingredients together just until blended.  Cover and place in fridge for 4hours, so flavors and can meld and absorb.  Patty out into 6 patties. Slather one side of burger patty with softened butter.  Place butter-side down in a heated cast iron pan.  Cook 2 at a time.  Flip.  Top with your favorite cheese. The boys ate their burgers between 2 slices of standard sandwich bread. I used 3 leaves of lettuce (2 for bottom and 1 for top).  They were super juicy. 

Knock Your Socks Off Burgers

As the summer wraps up rather quickly I realize I have not used my bbq a lot this summer. Yes I have used it but not as much as I would have liked.  One of the recipes I did make while doing some grilling was burgers...not any burger but the BEST burger.

Mouth-Watering Ranch Burger
adapted from: http://mantestedrecipes.com/recipe/2994/mouth-watering-ranch-burger.aspx

3 pounds ground beef
1 T ground black pepper
1 t garlic powder
1 t onion powder
1 t Italian seasoning
1 pkg Ranch dressing mix
1 T Worcestershire sauce
6 T bbq sauce
2 eggs

Knead all ingredients together.  Divide into 12 uniform patties.  Grill.  Top with cheese, lettuce and tomato (bacon, if desired) -even extra bbq sauce and ranch dressing- on a bun.

Taste Over And Beyond

My husband and I have a taste for yummy burgers.  I once tried a burger (while we were dating) that I had to try again. However I have not had a chance to attempt making it.  However with most recipes it is hard to replicate exact flavors.  Last summer when my dear sister got married last summer my brother and his wife made this delicious burgers...a great substitute for that yummy burger I had so many years ago.  If I trusted my husband more in the kitchen (err, if he were willing to make something more complicated than potatoes, mac and cheese and/or hot dogs) I would have him make these for my birthday (today).

Green Chile Cheeseburgers 

adapted from: http://www.cuisinerecipes.com/2013/05/16/green-chile-cheeseburger/2/

Mayo Mixture

1/4 cup mayonnaise

1 T ketchup

1 t chili powder

1 t garlic powder

1 t onion powder

pinch of cayenne pepper

Chiles  

6 chiles, grilled

(I think when I make this I will try and use a can or 2 of whole fire-roasted chiles)

Burgers

2lbs ground beef

2 T chili powder

1 1/2 t ground cumin

1/4 t black pepper

sharp white cheddar cheese, sliced

buns

Combine mayo, ketchup and seasonings in a bowl.  Set aside.

Knead together beef, chili powder, cumin and pepper.  Shape into patties.(NOTE: original recipe says 4...I am thinking 8)  

Grill patties (4-5minutes on side 1 and 2minutes on the other).  Top with chilies and cheese. Melt.  Place in buns with mayo mixture.

For The Man Who LOVES Bacon Cheeseburgers

Today being Father's Day we celebrate all dads...grandpas...and Godfathers too.  All these men in our lives enjoy a good juicy burger.  My husband especially enjoys his with a slab piece or two of bacon to top off his cheeseburger.  Please serve this recipe with yummy baked beans and with the following potato salad.  Trust it is really yummy.

Juicy Bacon Cheeseburger
adapted from: http://www.kevinandamanda.com/recipes/dinner/real-juicy-bacon-cheeseburgers.html

1/2lb bacon, cooked and crumbled
2lb ground beef
2 T liquid steak seasoning (I used about 4t liquid smoke)
1pkg dry ranch dressing mix (I enjoy Uncle Dan's brand)
2 eggs, beaten
1/3 cup chopped onion
steak seasoning
sharp cheddar cheese
hamburger buns

Combine beef, liquid smoke, ranch mix, onion, bacon crumbles and egg.  Knead together well.  Shape into 8 patties.  Sprinkle with steak seasoning. Barbecue burgers until desired doneness.  Top each burger with cheese.  Cover and let cheese get melty.  Place on burger buns and garnish as desired. (BBQ sauce is really good with this burger)

Easy Peasy Potato Salad
adapted from: http://southernfood.about.com/od/potatosalads/r/bln298.htm

1 cup mayonnaise
2 T dill pickle juice
1 1/2 t salt
1/8 t pepper
1 t sugar
squirt of yellow mustard
2lbs potatoes, cooked, peeled and diced (I use Southern style hashbrowns, cooked in hot water for about 5minutes, as a shortcut)
7 baby dills, diced small
4 green onions, diced
3 eggs, hardboiled and diced

In a bowl combine mayo, juice, salt, pepper, sugar and mustard.  Stir in remaining ingredients.  Place in the fridge for several hours (longer the better).

(Gouda You) Get A Little Grilling On

Summer is my favorite season...tied with Spring.  However with summer now here means that we can BBQ!  I love BBQ (even if I am the one who has to do it at my house)!  With a gas grill it is a breeze (I cannot imagine trying to arrange and light charcoal). Recently I made this burgers....mmm.  Even though I did not have buns they worked out splendid.  These would be perfect to add to a picnic.

Bacon Gouda Patties

adapted from: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/bacon-gouda-patties/

2 slices bacon, cooled and crumbled

3/4 cup shredded Gouda cheese

1 1/2 T Dijon mustard

1 pound ground beef

1/3 cup oats

1 egg

3 garlic cloves, minced

1/2 t garlic powder

salt/pepper

Mush all ingredients together (I will have to try the original way too; this way was easier at the time).  Patty out into 6 uniform patties (with a dent in the middle).  Place on cookie sheet.  Refridgerate.  Grill when ready.

Taste Of Barbecue From Inside

For the last 3 days I have had some ground beef sitting in my fridge waiting to be devoured.  Thank God for refrigeration!  Today I just had to use it since over the next couple of days (until Sunday) it will be busy ... not really time for eating at home and such.  My sister is getting married on Saturday and with all the prep necessary ahead of time we will just be hopping to get things ready.  Please pray for them! I was going to make this recipe last night but we went to a picnic instead so I HAD to make them tonight. Enjoy! They just mouth watering deliciousness.

Patty Melts
adapted from: http://tastykitchen.com/recipes/main-courses/patty-melts/

5T butter, softened
1 T  olive oil
1 large onion, sliced thin
1 1/4 pounds ground beef
@1 T Worcestershire sauce
8 slices smoked cheddar cheese
8 slices bread

Saute onion in 1T butter and olive oil; just until softened slightly.  Remove to a bowl; save drippings in pan. Combine ground beef and Worcestershire sauce just until mixed - don't over mix.  Patty out meat into 1/3 pounders (5oz each). Fry in drippings from onions until thoroughly done; remove to plate.  Next butter one side of each slice of bread as if for grilled cheese.  Place buttered side down in pan.  Slice of cheese-burger-another slice of cheese. Lastly the last piece of bread. Grill as if a grilled cheese sandwich until cheese is melted and gooey.  Serve with your favorite sides - I did wavy potato chips.  Note: You could put onions in between burger and cheese.  I just served on the side since hubby is not a big onion fan and he could then add his own.

Celebrations

Even though I forgot my camera (Forgive me!), we had a birthday celebration this weekend. My husband has joined the oldies (including me). I surprised him with two mini parties...one with just family and the other with friends. He suspected something with the family party. However that evening he did not suspect anything. It was great being able to do something fun for him. He really appreciates a good burger every now and then (or all the time when he goes out of town for work). I thought it would be fun to make them here at home. Rarely do I look up a recipe specifically geared for venison (just use a recipe calling for beef and just doing a simple substitution). However since we were having company over I thought I better doctor the burgers up a bit. This recipe was a hit, as it was fun too.

Hamburgers

http://www.bestburgerrecipes.com/venison-burger-recipes.html

6 slices bacon

2 minced shallots

1 t minced garlic

2 pounds ground venison

1 T Worcestershire sauce

1 T chopped fresh parsley (omitted)

1 beaten egg

Fry bacon until crispy. Remove from pan; cool and crumble. Remove some bacon grease from pan. Saute shallots and garlic in droppings. Cool. Combine bacon, shallots, garlic, venison, Worcestershire sauce, parsley and eggs. Combine quickly (don't over mix). Shape into 8 patties. Refrigerate (I froze mine over night). Cook as desired. I just baked them at 425 for about 30minutes.

Taco Burger

What do you get when you mix taco ingredients and form a patty.....a taco burger. Today I had a brilliant brainstorm and boy was it good. Add taco trimmings as you see fit. Enjoy the flavor explosion.

Taco Burger

1 pound ground beef

1 recipe taco seasoning

1/2 (7 oz) can of diced green chilies

4 slices White American cheese (monterey jack or pepper jack would be awesome here too)

4 pieces of Texas toast

Mix all ingredients in a large zip bag. Mash together well to incorporate all the flavors.

Form into 4 (1/4 pound patties). Cook on bbq grill...as you would any other burgers. Put slice of cheese burgers just as they are finishing cooking. Place each patty on 1 piece of Texas Toast.

Serves 4.