Mr. Homebody’s Backyard Blue Cheese Burgers

We’re in for an extra special treat today, a guest post by Mr. Homebody, who reminds us it is still summer after all, so don’t put that grill away just yet

HH.

When I have the house to myself and want to watch a direct to video comedy film I find myself longing for a cheesy meal as a companion to the viewing delight. What better delight than a homemade hamburger with blue cheese and bacon. This experience of course is best enjoyed if it is grilled on a barbeque. Don’t worry; it will still taste great fried in a pan if you don’t have a barbeque or if your propane supply has run out.

Backyard Blue Cheese Burgers

1 lb medium ground beef
2-3 pieces of lean raw bacon chopped finely
1 tablespoon of paprika
1 tablespoon of mustard powder
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon ground garlic
Pinch of salt
1 egg
Quarter cup of bread crumbs
4 tablespoons of crumbled blue cheese (or several slices of old cheddar cheese)
4 sesame seed hamburger buns

Fresh Salsa Topping
Two Roma tomatoes
Half of a medium white onion
Two tablespoons of olive oil
One tablespoon of balsamic vinegar
Salt and pepper to taste
Start by lighting your barbeque as it will need at least 10 minutes to get to the proper cooking temperature. Set the temperature at about medium to medium high heat depending on your cooking appliance. Then mix the ground beef, chopped bacon, paprika, mustard, ground garlic, salt, pepper, egg and bread crumbs in a bowl. Form the meat mixture into four evenly sized burger patties.

To make the tomato salsa topping chop the tomatoes and onions. Add the oil, vinegar, salt and pepper. Mix thoroughly.

Put the burger patties on the hot grill. Cook them about 5 minutes on each side depending on how well done you like your ground beef. Sprinkle the blue cheese on the patties and close the lid for about 30 seconds to a minute. If you are not a blue cheese fan, like my wife who I can literally chase around the kitchen with a slice in my hand then you can use strong cheddar cheese as an alternative.

Serve the patties on toasted sesame buns and top with the fresh tomato salsa. Add whatever other condiments you’d like. However, you may find like I did that the burger didn’t need anything else as the flavours stood up tall and proud on their own.

Mr. Homebody