How Do You Cook Hamburgers On A Grill?

by Anthony Robert

 

Photo: svenfreitag.girlshopes.com

Don't you just love the flavor of a juicy fresh grilled hamburger? I know I do!

It is summer time… No matter if it is fun in the park, fun at the beach, fun at the lake or fun by the pool at Grandma's house, we all want to picnic and have a good time. And the most popular of picnics include one of the many choices of hamburger recipes for the grill!

So how long do you cook hamburgers on a grill? What are good hamburger recipes for the grill? All great questions my friend! First things first though. You will want to get the grill ready. Go ahead and light up the charcoals, pop on the gas, or throw on the wood… Regardless of the grilling method you use… it needs to get hot and ready! What is important is nailing how long you cook hamburgers on the grill. Nothing ruins the fun more than a dry hockey puck you could choke on before you get to savor the flavor! Yuck! Did I mention YUCK?

There are several ways to keep this from happening so don't despair. I like to patty out my burgers in a nice thick ¼ to ½ inch patty. But before I do I like to doctor it up a bit. I add a little salt, pepper, adobo (for all of my Spanish friends), garlic powder or fresh garlic, some Worcestershire sauce and a touch of A-1 sauce. This adds a little kick to the flavor. I also find that it helps the hamburgers stay moist. Once all that is completed, doctor your grill a little. I brush a little olive oil on my grate to help keep them from sticking and I brush a little bit on the outside of my hamburger patties before I place them on the grill.

You need to be sure your grill is hot, but not too hot otherwise they will cook too fast and be done on the outside much faster than the inside. Then you have the whole new problem of burnt burgers! Not fun either! Once you place them on the grill you can leave them for about 10 minutes to go and cut up some nice onion, tomato and pickle slices. Put out your cheese, mayo, ketchup and mustard… You want to have great condiments to put on your hamburger. And once done, those kids will go through them faster than you can get ‘em ready!

So how long do you grill your hamburgers for perfection? I usually try and flip mine around 10 to 12 minutes, sometimes sooner… It depends on how hot the grill is and how fast they are cooking, so keep a careful eye on them. Once both sides are good and even, test them with a meat thermometer to be sure they are cooked well. E-coli bacteria is so dangerous these days and when you are out on a picnic with beef, you want to be extra careful! The normal temp should get to at least 160 degrees. And then if you have friends who like them a little medium or medium rare, you have done your best to give them delicious AND healthy burgers.

Oh, and one of my favorite hamburger recipes for the grill are the all out "gourmet" burgers. This is for when you are home grilling and can get creative. Take a little bit of red wine… some for the ingredients of the burger, (some for you!), some for the sautéed onions, garlic and mushrooms, (some more for you!) and oh yeah… some for your guest! Then serve your burger with a nice aged Swiss cheese and Kaiser or Onion roll, some mood music and candle light… WOW, you won't be disappointed! ;-)

Grilling Guide hand selected recipes feature the best way to grill using common household ingredients. Visit to learn tips on how to grill for the beginner, casual and expert griller.

Source: ArticleTrader.com  

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Italian Food: A Good and Healthy Choice

 by steve11

Photo: italian-recipes-cooking.blogspot.com

Nowadays Italian food is getting popular day by day all over the world. People of every country have started liking this food. If you are one of them who like pasta very much then you must love this cooking because this is one of the main ingredients of most recipes. As with all ethnic foods, this eating uses its own group of spices. These are a number of most popular spices which are used in this cooking; these spices are garlic, oregano, basil and thyme. If you will use fresh spices in your cooking then it will really add a special touch to any dish, but if you are unable to find fresh and then you can use the dried spice. You can buy these spices in small quantities and you need not keep them stored in a cool, dark place, not over your stove on a rack.

The heart of this cooking or eating is the use of ingredients. These ingredients are available in all the seasons. These ingredients are used to change ordinary items into works of art in the form of pastas, side dishes, breads, sauces, main dishes, deserts and soups. The possibilities are rally endless and very exciting. If you are really Italian food lover then you must buy cookbooks so that you can easily increase the taste of your food. These are a number of recipe books that have pictures of the completed dish so that you will able to know what it should look like. These books can help you a lot if you have never seen the dish anywhere. It is really best to follow a recipe when you first start to learn a new recipe but don't be panic to start experimenting once you have the basics down.

Following are some ingredients that you need to have in your grocery list.

1) Tomato Sauce:

Tomato Sauce is one of the important ingredients. You need not have to buy the expensive tomato sauce. The national brand or house brand at your nearby local grocery store will be fine in your Italian dish. Try not to buy from the "pre-seasoned" blends, as you will be adding your own spices and herbs.

2) Pasta:

It is highly recommended that you should not buy a huge quantity of any specific pasta. It is preferable to keep a little amount of the most regular types such as wide egg noodle, large and small shells, elbow macaroni, linguine and spaghetti. It will be good if you have storage so that you can keep the long noodles in a long container. Moreover, you can find many Tupperware makers that are specially design to keep the pasta in to maintain freshness.

3) Parmesan Cheese:

Freshly ground Parmesan cheese is always a welcome addition to the top of any Italian dish even though it may not always be needed in the ingredients of the recipe you are cooking. The famous cheese brand, Kraft, has a new product with a block of cheese in its container along with its grater.

4) Olive oil:

Olive oil is also one of the integral parts of ingredients. One of the mistakes that many Italian food amateurs make is using pricey olive oil for things like pan-frying. Using the standard olive oil, which is yellow in color, is just fine for this.

http://www.italianfood-recipes.com

Source: ArticleTrader.com

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How to Make Espresso

 by Kainoa Louis

Photo: coffeeandespressomachinesonline.com

Espresso is a concentrated form of coffee and is brewed by using pressurized hot water and forcing it through finely ground coffee. The backbone of a perfect cup of espresso lies in how it is made. Water temperature and the quality of the coffee beans are essential components in contriving a flavorful espresso. Coffee beans undergo a roasting process that attributes to their boldness and taste. When the bean is ground, and depending on how finely this is done, it is possible for levels of flavor to come through. Espresso, however, is not a specific bean or roast level but refers only to the method of application.

When selecting which beans to use from Arabica Coffee, it is always best to choose Arabica over Robusta. However, if you are in the market for powdered espresso, it is recommended to purchase a very finely ground and roasted type. This ensures quality as well as flavor. If you're new to espresso and need some advice, it's always helpful to ask someone well versed in the art.

Beans should always be extremely fresh, black in color and contain a very strong aroma. The choice of bean will drive the depth and constitution of the espresso. To make espresso, you will need the proper equipment. Usually stainless steel items that come with wooden handles, heatproof lids, and rubber washers are generally the best. A top of the line machine will brew about 1.5 ounces within the first twenty-five seconds. If you can clearly see cream on the surface of your espresso, your machine - and you - are doing an excellent job.

The key to a perfect cup of espresso is integrating the machine's pressure, the quality of the roaster and blender and finally, the skills of the person making it. If all constituents work in unison and are of the finest materials, the espresso is bound to be delicious. Remember, using fresh, filtered, cold water with higher concentration of oxygen makes a better quality espresso. If the water is heated between 197 - 205 degrees Fahrenheit, there will be optimal extraction of flavor.

Once you're ready to actually begin your espresso adventure, be sure to have all your ingredients set up. Fill the lower chamber of the pot with water. Next, fill the basket with coffee and use the bottom portion of a spoon to rid of any air pockets that could compromise the espresso. Be sure to fill in gaps around the rim. Next, place the pot on low to medium heat until the steam pushes out the remaining water. Once this happens reduce the heat to low. After the majority of water has left the chamber, you will hear an intermittent bubbling sound which is the cue to remove the espresso pot from the heat. Pour and serve.

Espresso is a wonderful way to enjoy coffee. If you have the proper tools and a keen eye and nose for quality, you can enjoy this superior style beverage.

Kainoa Louis loves a great cup of coffee and shares his passion for great coffee recipes at Easy-Coffee-Recipes.com. For more tips on making great espresso coffee be sure to visit his Web site.

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Pizza : It can be low cholesterol

 by dazzaw

Photo: rhodesbread.com

Personally speaking I think there is very little foods that give off an aroma as mouth watering as pizza, and I love the smell and the eating of it. You then might think I am about 16 stones with high cholesterol but this is nowhere near the truth. You can have low cholesterol, healthier pizzas without sacrificing the taste. We could all take a tip from the Italian lifestyle and diet.


If you do not overeat of course, which is the same for almost any food, and if you know some recipes for low fat low cholesterol pizza, you have nothing to worry about and enjoy eating it.


Healthy Pizza Recipe Preparation:


When trying to prepare healthy pizza, start with a fat-free pizza dough. I love to prepare pizza out of pita bread for example. For all pizza, use substitution like fat-free cheese, fat free tomato sauce, or garlic (which has cholesterol lowering properties).


Just be creative. Try some of the recipes below or mix and match them to let your imagination run wild.


Why not start the day with a breakfast pizza with egg whites on your low fat pizza base and top it off with lean bacon, fat free cheese, and some onion.

Not all pizzas must have meat in them. Try a veggie pizza with your same low fat crust and them topping them with shredded low fat cheese, mushrooms, red and green peppers and finished with some onion. Never a bad thing to throw in some garlic which is very healthy for the heart.

Once you realise that pizzas can be healthy then you can spot the right ingredients and go wild creating wonderful smells and tastes and keeping the waistline in check.


I hope this has helped show that pizzas don't have to be a luxury item and can be enjoyed more often than you think.

You can see similar tips and recipes about food at these sites. http://www.your-best-interests.com/pizza , http://www.your-best-interests.com/coffee , http://www.your-best-interests.com/cholesterol and http://www.all-your-needs.com/sandwiches

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Recipe For Making The Best Shepherds Pie

 by rserpe

Photo: mahalo.com

I was watching a show called Kitchen Nightmares the other night and in this particular episode, Chef Ramsay was helping out the owners of an Irish Pub in New York. One of the dishes Chef Ramsay cooked on this episode was Shepherds Pie. It looked and sounded absolutely delicious, so I figured I would give it a try.

Shepherds Pie or sometimes spelled Shepards Pie, is a dish that is served at pubs throughout England and Ireland. It is traditionally made with finely chopped or ground lamb topped with mashed potatoes. Ground or chopped beef is often substituted for the lamb. When beef is used, the dish is referred to as "Cottage Pie".

I am not a big fan of Lamb, so I used ground beef in the recipe that follows. My wife and I absolutely loved this dish and will certainly make it again in the future. The ground beef was excellent, but I think the next time I make this, I will try using a braised beef instead. I am thinking that some left over meat from a pot roast would work wonderfully in this dish.

Well, let's get on with the recipe shall we? I am quite confident that you and your family will fall in love with this dish and make it again and again.

Please forgive me if any of the measurements in this recipe are not spot on accurate. I rarely follow recipes and tend to taste as I go along. I recommend you do the same and try to use the ingredients below as a guide.

The Mashed Potatoes:

I experimented and used three types of dairy with the potatoes. The result was a very fluffy and creamy mashed potatoes which worked wonderfully with the rest of the ingredients. Again, the ingredients below are a guide. I would add a little of each ingredient at a time and taste as you go. Like it creamier? Then add a bit more cream. Need more salt? Add a bit more. You could add a touch of garlic powder or freshly roasted garlic to these potatoes as well for an exciting variation.

About 5 Potatoes (I use Russets) Peeled and Cut Into Cubes
2 Tablespoons Sour Cream
1 Tablespoons Softened Cream Cheese
1 Tablespoon Butter
Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper

Pie Filling:

2 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 Pound Ground Beef or Lamb
2 Carrots Peeled and Chopped
1 Onion Chopped
About 1/2 Cup Frozen Peas

Gravy:

2 Tablespoons Butter
2 Tablespoons All Purpose Flour
1 Cup Beef Stock or Broth
A Healthy Squirt Worcestershire Sauce
1 Tsp Freshly Chopped Thyme

The Garnish:

Paprika
Freshly Chopped Parsley Leaves

Directions:

Get a pot large enough to hold your potatoes with room to spare and fill with cold water. Add a generous pinch of salt to the water and then add your potatoes. Boil the potatoes in the salted water until tender. It should only take about 10-12 minutes. You can check the potatoes for doneness by piercing with a toothpick or fork. Drain the potatoes and add them to a large bowl. Add your sour cream, cream cheese, butter, salt and pepper. Mash the potatoes and stir until smooth. Set Aside.

While the potatoes are cooking, preheat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the oil to the pan, then add the ground beef or lamb. Season the meat with a bit of salt and pepper. Brown the meat, crumbling it as you brown. If you are using meat that is high in fat, try and spoon out some of the drippings as you cook.

Add your chopped carrots and onions to the ground beef. Cook your vegetables with the meat for 5 minutes or so, stirring often. You can then remove from heat.

Now we are going to make our gravy. Grab another skillet and over medium heat cook 2 tablespoons of butter and 2 tablespoons of flour together for a few minutes, stirring often. Make certain to keep an eye on this mixture because it can burn. If it burns, the butter can turn bitter, and you will have to start over. You will only need to cook the butter and flour for a minute or so until it mixes together and is smooth.

Add your beef broth or stock,Worcestershire Sauce, and fresh thyme to the flour and butter mixture. Stir and allow gravy to thicken. It should only take a minute or so.

Add the gravy to your meat and veggies and stir in your frozen peas.

Preheat your oven broiler to high.

Now grab a relatively small round or rectangular baking dish and fill it with your meat and veggie mixture.

Top the mixture with your mashed potatoes and spread evenly over the mixture. Sprinkle some paprika on top and broil around 5 - 6 inches from the heat until the potatoes are evenly browned.

Sprinkle some freshly chopped parsley on top and serve.

Ralph Serpe is a passionate home cook and webmaster for http://www.chefability.com. Visit ChefAbility today for more delicious cooking recipes & tips!

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Bean Recipes

by Zenolite

Photo: j-t-green.com

Ever since the days before Babylonia itself, man has been reliant on plants for sustenance. Our ancestors were foragers as much as hunters and used wild berries and roughage as a primary source of sustenance, especially in times of famine when even the prey they hunted became scarce; plants remained plentiful, however. One of the longest and most widely cultivated of these ancient plants was the humble bean, a legume valued as much for its ruggedness as its flavor and nutrients. These ancient beans were found from Afghanistan to the far flung reaches of the Himalayan mountain range where they were gathered by early humans in their wild, unrefined, but still hearty form. Elsewhere, in Thailand, they had been cultivated into a domestic crop as early as 6000 B.C., well predating even the use of pottery and ceramics that would thereafter be used to keep the seedlings cool and dry until ready for use. Even in North America, the common bean, often seen on plates and in supermarkets today, was refined into a harvestable crop by 4000 B.C. and being used as the basis for many Native American diets.

Beans continue to serve an important, if at times neglected, role in the diet of modern man, providing fiber, protein and iron  while remaining plentiful, cheap and versatile. In many vegetarian circles a number of bean recipes are experiencing a revival due to the unique nutrition provided in its compact shell. As the majority of the nutrients provided by meat are those represented in abundance by beans, this cellulose fed source often serves as a substitute for vegetarians and vegans who've sworn off their more carnivorous counterpart.

No food retains its appeal if prepared the same night after night, however, and there are few repositories of recipes catering to a focus on the ancient legume, even in the present age of information. One of these select few repositories of bean recipes, and likely the most diverse, is actually a source of recipes straight from a producer of the plants themselves, S&W Beans. Their website (swbeans.com) has a catalog devoted to a diverse assortment of recipes that either focus on or simply implement beans for a well rounded meal with no-frills, easy to make recipes alongside a few more refined and complicated to keep the all important beans from becoming a stale staple that's dreaded to be seen.

S&W Beans was founded over a century ago, in 1896 by three wholesale grocers from San Francisco to promote a healthier, more nutritious lifestyle and provide the food to live that life to its fullest. For their plentiful bean recipes and a listing of the company's products, you can find their site at swbeans.com

I am Zenolite. As a freelancer I am writing articles for SWBeans. For further enquirees, be sure to check their site at http://www.swbeans.com/

Article Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com/Article/Bean-Recipes/1644414

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Looking For A Recipe For Grilled Veggies?

by Christine Szalay-Kudra.

Photo: yourhealthfirst.com

 Grilling does not have to be just hamburgers and steak. There are plenty of other foods that do well over a hot flame, including fruits, seafood, poultry, and vegetables. Often overlooked, grilled veggies are a great addition to your summer grilling festivities. However, if you do not know how to grill them, you could have trouble.Fortunately, vegetables are one of the easiest things to cook on the grill, after you know what to do. There are a few common mistakes that you will need to avoid, however. Here is a look at some of the methods you can use to find great recipes and techniques for grilling your own vegetables, and avoid the problems.One of the best places you can look is online. The Internet hosts entire sites dedicated to grilling of all kinds, including vegetables and vegetarian recipes. Lots of sites have interfaces that allow for user submitted content. You will want to pay close attention to what you are planning to use because of this.The big advantage of getting recipes and advice from site users is that you might run into something you have never heard of. The downside is that these recipes might not work, and might need some testing. That means planning in advance, and thinking hard about the recipe you are going to use before you get to use it. This can be difficult for inexperienced grillers.Fortunately, many sites offer the ability to rate recipes and get feedback from other users on user submitted content. That way, you can watch out for bland grilled vegetable recipes, ones that end up with burnt results, and other problems, without having to experience them on your own. You can even submit your own recipes and feedback after you have tried making vegetables on the grill, too. Just get an account with the site you like best.Of course, if you want recipes that you know will work, there are always food blogs and expert sites. These contain recipes that have already been tested a little more thoroughly than the average user content. You'll still need to take care, and pay attention to regional differences and definitions, but it's entirely possible to find a great recipe for grilled veggies from one of these sites, and it can take a lot less work than using a recipe that you don't know the origin for.Cookbooks are another option for people who love to grill. You can find entire specialty books dedicated to grilled vegetables at your bookstore, as well as magazines with feature articles on the subject. Many books are put together according to skill level and the amount of involvement required out of the cook, so you will have no problem finding the one you want.If you would prefer not to spend a lot on sources for recipes while you are just starting to cook veggies on the grill, try your local library. Most have large collections of magazines and cookbooks that offer plenty of information on grilling vegetables. Just remember to copy the recipes out before you use them to keep the books from getting damaged.

BBQ food is an American favorite. You cannot go wrong with a good barbecue. Whether you cook it yourself or get it from a great restaurant, barbecue is a great choice. You can learn how to become a great barbecue chef yourself at our site by reading the cooking advice and trying the recipes.

Article Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com/Article/Looking-For-A-Recipe-For-Grilled-Veggies-/1698239

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