Cheeseburger in paradise... Heaven on earth with an onion slice... Not too particular not too precise... I'm just a cheeseburger in paradise...

Spring is not officially here until the grill is lit and the first hamburgers of the season are served and gobbled down. Outside, of course. Burgers off the grill are good, indeed. But burgers off the grill eaten outdoors in the warm sunshine are sublime! Last weekend we had our first burgers of the season and they did not disappoint!

My husband makes the best burgers. He alters his recipes frequently, but he always has the same basic ingredients in each burger -- garlic powder, a little bit of salt, finely chopped onion and some McCormick Meat Tenderizer. These are his staples. Without these simple ingredients his cheese burger is just a cheeseburger! But he strives for the ultimate cheeseburger... a cheeseburger in paradise, of course! The additional zing came from some A-1 Steak Sauce. These burgers were SUBLIME!

Ingredients:
1 lb ground beef -- I buy 90% or 93% lean and this actually has less fat than turkey or chicken
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp Meat Tenderizer (I usually add more.)
1/8 of a cup of A-1 Steak sauce
1/2 medium onion finely chopped

In a large mixing bowl add ingredients to beef and mix well. Do not crush meat, just mix gently, as you don't want to make the meat tough. Divide meat into equal portions and make patties or equal size. (Flatter patties will cook faster than rounder patties.)

Fire up the grill. Or have your husband do it like I do!
Grill burgers about 7 minutes, 3.5 on each side until the outside is nicely dark and the insides slightly pink. Of course cook longer or shorter to your preference of doneness. Add a slice of cheese, American or cheddar, if desired about 1 minutes before burgers are due to come off the grill.

Place burger on a toasted sesame bun, hard roll, English Muffin or whatever you prefer. Add onion, lettuce, tomatoes, mayo, mustard and ketchup and a pickle slice. Grab a dozen or so napkins before you bite in!

Looking for a perfect side? Try Gigi's Old Fashioned Potato Salad or my ultimate favorite summer side salad, Barefoot Contessa's Corn Salad! And wash it all down with a nice, cold beer!