4 Favorite Burgers

Summer is here and the 4th of July is around the corner!

That means grill time....that means burger time!

We usually go all Americana on our 4th of July menu, keeping it to burgers and hot dogs.

So if you are craving a good juicy burger pick one of my four favorite choices.  Each are perfect for a party with friends and family.  Perfect for the 4th of July festivities, and so easy to make!

Here are the recipes starting in the upper left - going clockwise!  Enjoy!!

The Mushroom Swiss Burger

The Best Stuffed Grilled Cheeseburgers

Blue Cheese Stuffed Burgers

Grilled Santa Fe Burger

What hamburger wouldn't be complete without a great bun? If you are adventurous then try this...

Homemade Hamburger Bun Recipe

And to quench your thirst...

 Land of the Free Lemonade

Have you heard of Craftsy?

You haven't?  Well, let me tell you a little bit about it.  It's an Internet site that offers online courses.  They have many topics to choose from such as art & photography, fiber arts (knitting etc), and cooking, to name a few.

When I learned about this site I was so excited to try a few classes.  I started with a free class on Perfect Pizza taught by Peter Reinhardt.  I mean...Peter Reinhardt!...teaching an online video class!  Wow, I am there.  Then I caught the bug and branched out to other classes.  One of the best features is that you can learn at your own speed.  Each class is divided into segments allowing you to stop and start as you choose.  You can then cook the recipe after the segment if you want, or not, before going on.  It really is a great way to gain a lot of knowledge and practice as you go.

One of my recent classes is Homestyle Pan Sauces.  The instructor, Martha Holmberg, provides a wealth of information.  It's amazing what you can learn.  The first sauce was a basic balsamic reduction.  Again, one would think this is an easy sauce, and it is, but the information that she provides on what it should look like, the shine, the consistency, is outstanding.  She even goes so far as to burn it on purpose to show you what happens along the way and where you went wrong (or not what to do).  Try out www.Craftsy.com if you want to take some fun and informative online classes.

So, being excited about this class I wanted to share with you my take on a balsamic reduction.  I jazzed up the chicken a little by adding an herbal rub which just adds some extra flavor but the basics are still there.

I hope you enjoy this wonderful pan sauce.  It goes great with chicken, pork, and beef.  Try it soon because it will definitely become one of your go to sauces!

Balsamic Herb Chicken

serves 4

1 T fresh oregano, chopped

2 garlic cloves, minced

1/4 tsp sea salt

1/4 tsp pepper

1 tsp olive oil

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1/2 c chicken broth, low sodium

1/4 c balsamic vinegar

Pound each chicken breast between two pieces of plastic wrap to even out breasts.  

In a small bowl add the oregano, garlic, salt and pepper.  Add oil and stir to make a paste.  Rub mixture on one side of each chicken breast.  

Heat a large skillet over medium heat. (Try not to use a non-stick skillet).  Place the chicken in the skillet herb side down first.  Cook on each side about 4 minutes or until done, turning once.  Remove chicken from the pan and tent with foil to keep warm.

Add chicken broth and balsamic vinegar to the pan and allow to come to a boil.  Scrape up brown bit in the bottom of the skillet.  Boil for 2-3 minutes or until sauce is reduced slightly and has thickened.

Serve chicken with a spoonful of sauce over the top.

Chocolate Chip Pancakes with Cinnamon Cream

I've been off all week.  

I mean I can't seem to keep track of what day it is.  On Wednesday I thought it was Tuesday.  To my surprise I found out it was Wednesday.  Then on Thursday I thought it was Friday.  It really, really felt like Friday. (Wishful thinking...hmm)

If that wasn't bad enough I was trying to plan a birthday lunch and kept saying that her birthday was a week from Sunday and that was the 22nd.  Which is actually this Sunday!  OMG! I thought we were a week behind and it was last week. 

 

What the heck?

So since I'm all mixed up I thought I would bring you a breakfast post that I was saving for this weekend...but I may forget what day it is!  So to be on the safe side I'll post it now and you can make them this weekend! 

This wonderful recipe for Chocolate Chip Pancakes is topped with a Cinnamon Cream.  I found this filed under my 'to make' Pinterest file and is by Paula Deen. (love her!)  It may sound like dessert, but isn't overly sweet and we just loved them for breakfast.

Enjoy them this weekend...it is almost the weekend isn't it?

Chocolate Chip Pancakes with Cinnamon Cream

Recipe Courtesy of Paula Deen

Servings: 10 servings

Ingredients:

1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
3 tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk
2 large eggs, separated
3 tablespoon butter, melted, plus 4 tablespoons, divided
1/2 cup miniature semi-sweet chocolate morsels
maple syrup, for serving


Cinnamon Cream:
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions:

Preheat griddle to 350 degrees F.

In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.

In a small bowl, combine milk, egg yolks, and 3 tablespoons melted butter; add to flour mixture, whisking until smooth.

In a small bowl, beat egg whites at medium-high speed with an electric mixer until stiff. Gently fold into batter. Gently fold in chocolate morsels.

Melt 2 tablespoons butter on hot griddle. Ladle about 1/4-cup batter for each pancake onto hot griddle. Cook pancakes for 2 to 3 minutes, or until tops are covered with bubbles and edges look cooked. Turn and cook the other side. Repeat procedure with remaining 2 tablespoons butter and remaining batter.

For the Cinnamon Cream:

In a medium bowl, beat cream at medium-high speed with an electric mixer until thickened. Gradually beat in confectioners’ sugar and cinnamon, beating until stuff peaks form. Cover and chill.

Serve pancakes with Cinnamon Cream and maple syrup.