A long time ago, right around the same time I started writing books, I had a bitty food blog. I started it so that I would be able to participate in an online community called The Daring Bakers/The Daring Chefs. They issued monthly recipe challenges that taught some more complex food preparation techniques. It was through them that I learned how to make macarons, jaconde, sugar cookies that keep their shape and some beautiful breads. But I digress.
One day in June I was wondering aloud what I should post on my blog aside from the challenge recipes and my husband said that I should make two weeks worth of different burgers. He didn’t think I could come up with that many variations. Not thinking I can do something is a good way to make me try it.
The rules were that it had to have a bun and a patty and at least one topping.
I came up with fourteen ideas without any trouble and had some to spare, so the next year he challenged me to do the whole month of July. So I did.
This is our thirteenth annual burger month. It is a symbol of my love for my husband, and now for my kids too since they also love it. I get pretty sick of burgers by the end of the month and we don’t really eat them at all for the rest of the year. But it’s very festive and fun.
I thought I’d share some of my favorites on this blog this month but please keep in mind that I am not a food photographer and everything tastes better than it looks.
When we were first married, my husband and I lived in Topeka, KS. We really loved it there and in particular there was this BBQ restaurant we loved called Boss Hawgs. It was our splurge night out, we were very poor back then. We also would occasionally go to this drive-in called BoBos that had the most amazing onion rings and root beer. I ate there right before I went to the hospital to have my baby. Just thinking about it takes me back.
So, I developed this burger while we lived there.
Here’s what you need: cornbread hamburger buns, Kansas City Style BBQ sauce, onion rings, beef patty and baked beans. That’s it, it’s sooo good.
First, I make a homemade cornbread bun similar to this one from Half Baked Harvest
Then I make a gigantic batch of onion rings. I just slice up onions until I’m crying, then I put them in a zippy bag with some flour and shake them up. Then I dip them in buttermilk. Then I dip them in a panko and flour mixture. Then I pour oil in a pan until it’s about two inches deep, heat it over high heat and fry up the onion rings. It takes a little while but man are they delicious. I like them so much better than the onions dipped in batter. I’m not sure why.
Then I mix up my meat mixture:
2 lbs. ground beef
3 TB liquid smoke
2 TB Worcestershire sauce
1 TB garlic powder
1 TB onion powder
1/4 c. brown sugar
salt and pepper
Grill the meat until it’s doneness is to your liking. My husband always orders medium rare at restaurants but at home he wants everything to be well done.
Split your bun. On the bottom half, spread Kansas City style BBQ sauce. Place the patty on top. Cover with a generous portion of baked beans. Pile onion rings on top as high as you can before they start to tumble off. Top with the other half of the bun. Enjoy. Consume with napkins nearby.
We had guests so my daughter made this sign so they would know what to do. She’s adorable.
This is my most work-intensive burger but it’s so good. We had it for the Fourth of July this year. Stay tuned for more awesome burgers this month!
