| Grilling Burgers are the 'o' so typical summer cookout | | | | remember there are always spices to add a little flare |
| past time. They are one of the most basic of | | | | to your bland burger!) |
| American fare around. I honestly cannot think of | | | | - Gentle touch! Overworking the mixture will produce |
| anything else more American and basic than the | | | | a tough burger. Mix ingredients slowly and once they |
| hamburger. Take for instance that American's on | | | | are combined, you are done! |
| average eat 2-3 hamburgers a week. Come spring | | | | - Don't form patties too thick or too thin. A ¾ |
| and summertime that number increases to 3-4 a | | | | inch thick patty is ideal for even cooking throughout |
| week! Once warm weather hits, you quickly begin to | | | | the burger. To keep your burgers from swelling in the |
| see grills coming out, smoke in the sky, and the | | | | middle, make a small indention in the center. |
| sweet aroma of sizzling meat. I know many people | | | | - Always clean and oil the grill grate. This prevents |
| who take pride in their grilling. But grilling may not be | | | | burgers from sticking, extends the life of your grate |
| so simple for those who are not familiar with them. | | | | and helps put those beautiful grill marks on your |
| Grilling a burger to perfection could be a very hard | | | | burgers! |
| task for some people. For instance, not knowing the | | | | - Don't flip your burgers more than once. Turning |
| proper temperature to cook on your grill can turn | | | | them over only once is all that is necessary. |
| your burger into a burnt mess or a under cooked | | | | Remember not to press the patty down with the |
| disaster! Or not knowing the difference between gas | | | | back of a spatula; doing so releases all of the |
| and charcoal grills can turn grilling basics into grilling | | | | flavorful juices! |
| nightmares. | | | | - Cook your burgers properly. For safety's sake my |
| For the majority of the masters of the grill, there is | | | | goodness and your own well being, cook ground |
| no compromise. You are a gas grill kind of person or | | | | beef to an internal temperature of 160 to 170 |
| charcoal all the way! There are some major | | | | degrees F. To check the temperature, insert a |
| differences between the two. For example, gas fired | | | | thermometer into the patty horizontally for an |
| grilling is much more convenient, and easy for grilling | | | | accurate reading. |
| beginners. By the simple turn of a knob, you are | | | | The hamburger has many possibilities. Kids love them |
| good to go. Gas grills are fueled by liquid propane | | | | and I rarely see an adult turn them down. Take |
| stored in refillable tanks. Many people prefer gas | | | | some time to think about the potential a simple |
| grilling because it is quick, clean and incredibly easy. | | | | burger has. A couple cloves of garlic and a thick slice |
| Charcoal grilling on the other hand does not offer the | | | | of feta cheese for instance can turn your simple |
| same kind of convenience as gas grilling does. | | | | burger into a delectable treat. Doing something as |
| Charcoal grilling is liked by so many because of the | | | | simple as that has turned your bland burger into a |
| distinct smoke flavor it adds to your food. The dry, | | | | self-respecting piece of meat...literally! If you aren't |
| white-hot heat of charcoal sears meat quickly and | | | | into all the trimmings then go basic with a dash of |
| adds a crisp, caramelized exterior to your burger | | | | salt and pepper if you please. You know what |
| giving it a very distinctive smoky flavor unlike any | | | | seasonings you like and which ones you don't. Test |
| other method of cooking can. Know that charcoal | | | | them out and try new things. Who knows, your |
| grilling requires much more time and attention than | | | | taste buds just might love a new creation! Pick out |
| gas grilling does. From building and lighting briquettes, | | | | whatever selections you like to add atop your |
| to waiting for the coals to get hot, to managing the | | | | delicious burger, whether it be pickles, lettuce, onion, |
| flame, charcoal grilling can be a pretty tedious | | | | tomato, ketchup or mustard, make your burger |
| process. Many people respect the time and effort it | | | | enjoyable. Select a good bun or roll of your liking to |
| takes when grilling with charcoal, they appreciate the | | | | slap on both sides of your burger. |
| outcome of all their hard work. So if you choose to | | | | Grilling can be a great way to eat healthy when |
| charcoal grill then keep in mind to leave empty | | | | prepared properly. Look for a leaner beef, or try a |
| spaces on the lower grill grate. These cool spaces | | | | ground turkey or chicken. When grilling you add flavor |
| allow for better control, letting you sear food first | | | | to your burgers without having to add excess |
| over hot spots before transferring it to cooler parts | | | | seasoning. You also cook without adding excessive |
| to finish cooking. Note: If you are on a tight budget | | | | amounts of unhealthy fats and oils. When you cook |
| then you might want to consider going charcoal, | | | | meat at too high of a temperature, you chare them, |
| because they are substantially cheaper than gas grills! | | | | making them not just distasteful but polluted with |
| Hopefully you have decided, or already know, which | | | | chemicals. Charring causes the formation of chemicals |
| type of griller you are. So now let us please take all | | | | that have been linked to higher risk of some cancers. |
| the hassle out of summer cooking for you and take | | | | Follow these basic rules to also make your grilling |
| a look at some of the following tips on how to grill | | | | experience a healthy one: |
| your summertime burger perfectly: | | | | - Keep your grill clean |
| - Make sure your grill is at the appropriate | | | | - Wash the grate each time you use your grill |
| temperature. Too hot, and your burgers will burn on | | | | - Avoid charring meats |
| the outside before getting done on the inside. | | | | - Choose healthier foods |
| Medium low to medium heat is the best for outdoor | | | | - Cook meats to proper temperature, use a |
| cooking. | | | | thermometer to be sure |
| - Remember to keep the lid closed while grilling, so | | | | - Do not overcook your meats |
| your grill can retain heat. Retaining heat will shorten | | | | - Trim excess fat before cooking |
| the cooking time and keep your burgers moist. You | | | | - Choose leaner cuts of beef, fish, poultry or game |
| should only open the lid occasionally to check on the | | | | meats |
| meat. | | | | Consider thinking of other ways you can maintain a |
| - If you're using ground turkey or chicken you can | | | | well-balanced healthy meal like substituting |
| add a little broth or olive oil to keep them moist while | | | | mayonnaise with avocado. Try new things that you |
| grilling. These meats have less fat, therefore they | | | | normally would not in replacement of the things you |
| become dry and tough when cooking. (Note: If you | | | | add to your burger or to your plate! Grilling should be |
| have a healthy conscious, then know that you may | | | | enjoyable and so should the food that comes off of |
| use lean meat to grill. So when using a leaner beef, | | | | one. |