You have started your “go green” work, designed your perfect outdoor living space, planted and tended to your garden. Now it’s time to reap the benefits!!!!!
Take a little time to enjoy all of your hard work. The kiddos are back in school and sports are starting, the weather is cooling off, so there is not much time for a camping escape. How about taking a few hours to kick back and enjoy a mini “stay”cation.
So in the spirit of hanging out and enjoying the outdoor kitchen, firepit and water-feature I am moving away from the usual tips that we usually post here and I am going to share some of my favorite outdoor recipes!!!!
I hope you enjoy the great recipes! Below are my favorite recipes for burgers, squash and lemonade with a twist!! Enjoy!!
Coffee Bacon Cheese Burger
Coffee rub:
- 1 tablespoon freshly ground coffee
- 2 teaspoons (packed) golden brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
Burgers:
- 8 slices applewood-smoked bacon
- 1 pound ground chuck
- 1 pound ground sirloin
- 8 slices smoked provolone, smoked caciocavallo, or smoked Gouda cheese (about 8 ounces)
- 8 potato-bread hamburger buns
- 8 slices red onion
- 8 slices tomato
Mix all of the coffee rub ingredients together (Rub can be made up to a week in advance and stored in an airtight container at room temp. It is GREAT on all cuts of beef and you don’t have to just save it for the burgers).
Cook bacon in large skillet until crisp. Transfer to paper towels to drain. Break in half. Gently mix chuck and sirloin in large bowl. Form meat into 8 patties, each 3 1/2 to 4 inches in diameter and 1/3 to 1/2 inch thick. Using thumb, make slight indentation in center of each burger. DO AHEAD: Burgers and bacon can be prepared 8 hours ahead. Cover separately and chill.
Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat). Sprinkle 1 teaspoon coffee rub on top side of each burger. Place burgers, rub side down, on grill rack. Grill until slightly charred, about 4 minutes; turn.
Place 2 bacon slice halves atop each burger. Cook 3 minutes.
Top each with 1 cheese slice. Cover and cook until cheese melts, about 1 minute longer. Your imagination is the limit for the fixin’s so load them up!!!
Grilled Zuchinni
- 6 Zuchinni or your favorite Summer Squash
- 1 T Itallian Seasoning or a mixture of oregano, thyme and basil
- 1 t Granulated Garlic
- 1 t Ground Pepper
- 1/2 t Salt
- 3 T Olive Oil
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/3 cup packed fresh mint leaves
- 2 cups water
- About 3 cups ice cubes, cracked if large
