California Cheeseburgers Recipes

CALIFORNIA CHEESEBURGERS

Steps:

• Heat grill to medium heat.
• Mix meat and barbecue sauce; shape into 4 (1/2-inch-thick) patties.
• Grill patties 4 to 5 min. on each side or until done (160°F). Top with cheese; grill 1 to 2 min. or until melted.
• Spread buns with guacamole; fill with lettuce, cheeseburgers, tomatoes and onions.

OLD-FASHIONED CHEESEBURGER

Steps:

• Put the ground beef on a baking sheet and divide into 5 equal portions. Push the meat (not patting it) together gently and shape into patties no bigger than the size of your burger buns. They should be loosely compacted; they should look rustically rough, not smooth and that way a good crust will develop and there will be lots of nooks and crannies for the cheese to melt into. They should be about 1/2-inch thick and about 4 inches wide. Make sure they fit your buns! Once shaped, chill the uncooked burgers in the refrigerator for 10 minutes.
• Preheat your grill to medium-high heat, or warm your largest cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat until just smoking. Sprinkle both sides of the burgers generously with salt. This is not only for flavor, but also to build a good crust.
• Using a spatula, place the burgers on the grill or in the skillet; they should sizzle upon contact. If you are cooking inside, open your window, because it might get a little smoky!
• If using a grill: Cook 2 minutes on the first side for medium-rare or 3 minutes if you like them medium-well. Flip the burgers, and top each one with a slice of cheese. Cover, if possible, and cook for 2 to 3 minutes longer, depending how well done you like your burgers and the heat of your grill.
• If using a skillet: Cook 4 minutes for medium-rare, or 5 minutes for medium-well on the first side. Flip the burgers, and top each one with a slice of cheese. Cover, if possible, and cook for 4 minutes longer. A meat thermometer inserted in the middle of the burger should register 135 to 140 degrees F for medium-rare.
• Remove the burgers from the heat and grind freshly ground black pepper on top of each burger.
• While the meat rests, toast the buns. Spread both cut sides of the buns with a little softened butter. Lower the heat to medium, add the buns cut-side down, and let them toast until golden brown.
• Place each burger on a bun, top with Ketchup Chutney or Roasted Red Pepper and Walnut Dip and pile you're your favorite toppings. Dig into a little slice of summer heaven right from your kitchen!
• Warm the oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat until nearly smoking.
• Keep your lid handy. Add the mustard seeds and cumin seeds; they should start enthusiastically popping upon contact with the oil, so cover the pot until the spluttering subsides, about 30 seconds.
• Add the onions and saute until soft and just starting to brown, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the garlic and ginger, and saute until the garlic is soft, about 2 minutes longer.
• Add the Garam Masala, paprika and turmeric. Stir and cook about 30 seconds. Then add the vinegar (standing back so you don't inhale the fumes!) and cook 1 minute more.
• Add the tomatoes, molasses, 1/2 teaspoon salt and lots of freshly ground black pepper. Stir, bring to a boil, and then cook at a generous simmer about 10 minutes until thickened. You can puree it if you like. Set it aside to cool and then jar. Store in the refrigerator.
• Combine the cinnamon sticks, cloves, green cardamom seeds, black cardamom seeds, if using in a spice grinder or coffee grinder and grind until fine. Store the spice mix in an airtight container away from direct sunlight.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Roast the red peppers. Place each bell pepper over the open flame of a gas burner or grill, cooking until the skin blackens and blisters. Rotate the peppers and blacken all the way around, about 15 minutes. Alternatively, you can roast the peppers in the oven by placing the bell peppers on a baking sheet and placing under the broiler, turning frequently, until the peppers are blackened and blistered all over. Put the blackened peppers in a bowl, cover with plastic wrap and set aside to steam.
• Toast the walnuts. Spread the walnuts on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Pop into the oven until light golden brown and aromatic, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool.
• Peel the red peppers using a paring knife. Discard the peels, stem and seeds. Throw the roasted red peppers, walnuts, lemon juice, pomegranate molasses, olive oil, paprika, cumin, red pepper flakes and garlic into a food processor with a teaspoon of salt, and run until the dip is smooth. Taste for seasoning and adjust accordingly. Cool and serve.

CALIFORNIA BURGER WRAPS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine beef, salt and pepper, mixing lightly but thoroughly. Shape into eight 1/2-in.-thick patties., Grill burgers, covered, over medium heat or broil 3-4 in. from heat until a thermometer reads 160°, 3-4 minutes on each side. Place burgers in lettuce leaves. Combine feta and Miracle Whip; spread over burgers. Top with avocado, red onion and if desired, tomatoes.

CALIFORNIA CHEESEBURGER SKILLET

Steps:

• In 10-inch skillet, cook beef and onion over medium-high heat 5 to 7 minutes, stirring frequently, until beef is thoroughly cooked; drain.
• Stir in milk, hot water, and uncooked pasta and sauce mix (from Hamburger Helper box). Heat to boiling, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Arrange tomato slices on top; sprinkle with croutons. Place 5 of the cheese halves around edge of skillet; place remaining cheese halves in center. Cover and cook 2 minutes. Remove from heat; let stand covered 5 minutes (cheese will continue to melt and sauce will thicken as it stands).

CALIFORNIA CHEESEBURGER MACARONI

Steps:

• In 12-inch nonstick skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add onion; cook 6 to 8 minutes, stirring frequently, until onions brown; transfer to small bowl.
• In same skillet, cook beef over medium-high heat 4 to 6 minutes, stirring frequently, until thoroughly cooked; drain.
• Stir in mustard, milk, hot water, and uncooked pasta and sauce mix (from Hamburger Helper™ box). Heat to boiling, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 9 to 11 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender.
• Arrange cooked French fries over mixture in skillet; top with onions. Drizzle with dressing. Sprinkle with tomato and relish.

CALIFORNIA BURGER

Steps:

• thai Mix 1 1/4 pounds ground chicken, 1/2 cup panko, 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce, 1 tablespoon Greek yogurt and salt. Shape into four 1-inch-thick patties and chill. Brush with oil and cook 4 to 5 minutes per side on an oiled grill. Serve on whole-grain bread with sprouts, cucumber, tomato and avocado.

LUSCIOUS CALIFORNIA BURGER

Steps:

• Cook bacon as desired.
• Separate burger into 4 patties. Grill sirloin burger until done.
• When just about done place a slice of american cheese on each burger.
• Meanwhile, roast on the bbq slices of red pepper.
• Rinse all vegetables and slice into rounds. Choose your condiments.
• Build your burger!
• Salt and pepper to taste.
• Enjoy!

CALIFORNIA CHEESEBURGER PASTA CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Prepare pasta according ton package directions; drain. Do NOT rinse.
• While pasta is cooking, in a large skillet, brown ground beef with onion. Drain fat.
• Return beef and onion mixture to hot skillet. Over low-med heat, stir in tomatoes, tomato sauce, milk, mayo, ketchup, relish, mustard, pepper, salt, garlic powder, oregano and 2 1/2 cups cheese. Stir and cook until cheese is melted. Add hot cooked pasta and gently mix together.
• At this point either:.
• a) sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup cheese; heat through and serve. OR.
• b) Pour into a 13" x 9" or larger baking dish, sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup cheese ans bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes.