Friday, August 7, 2009

Chili Beef Burgers with Mustard Butter

Ole Sweetie-Pi watched me while I was taking a picture of these burgers. He wrinkled his nose in disdain and asked, "Getting desperate, Dearie? You're now taking pictures of hamburgers?!"

Really, timing is everything. I'm standing there with the camera in my hand, contorting my body to get the best possible light and angle. I was becoming more and more frustrated because I can see the green cast being shed from the platter onto my food, and he says he says something infuriating. So, I do as I always do, I "uh huh" him and then pretend not to hear anything more.

I'm not a real big fan of beef, but every now and again I absolutely crave a really good, thick and juicy, genuine beef, hamburger. Most of the time, I like my burgers about as plain as you can get them, just minced beef and a little salt and pepper. And they have to be cooked all the way through. No thrills, no frills. I only want ketchup. No cheese, no lettuce, no secret sauce, no mayonnaise, no pickles, no onions, no tomatoes. I'm talking bare bones here. I don't even want seeds on my buns. Yes, sirree, they are plain and boring. Little did Ole Sweetie-Pi realized that when he quipped his witty observation that these weren't just my normal Plain Jane burgers.

His expression markedly changed after his first bite of these Chili Beef Burgers with Mustard Butter. The surprised look of approval and smile said it all.

Barbecued Chili Beef Burgers with Mustard Butter
(adapted from Favorite Meat Recipes by the Confident Cooking Promise of Success)

1 pound ground beef
1 large onion, grated
1/4 cup fresh parsley, minced
1 1/2 cups breadcrumbs
1 egg, beaten
1 tablespoon milk
1 tablespoon malt vinegar
1 tablespoon tomato paste
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon chili sauce
1-3 teaspoons dried oregano

Place all ingredients in a large bowl, and using your impeccably clean hands or a sturdy spoon, combine well. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and place in refrigerator for 2 hours.

When ready, take bowl from refrigerator and shape the mixture into burger sized patties. Place the patties on lightly oiled grill or cast iron grill plate or heavy duty fry pan. Cook about four minutes each side, until nicely browned and cooked through. Serve with mustard butter.

Mustard Butter

1 stick (1/2 cup) butter, at room temperature
2 tablespoons sour cream
2 tablespoons mustard

Place all the ingredients in a small bowl and beat until combined. Set aside for a half hour or so to allow the flavors to meld and ripen.

40 comments:

  1. The recipe sounds so flavorful! I've never tried making mustard butter--what a great idea. I know Sweetie-Pi liked them--did you like them as much as your bare bones burger? ;)

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  3. I like my burgers dressed well so I bet I'd be a big fan of these...although I think I'll decrease the bread crumbs some, based on your comment above.

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  4. I'm not a big beef fan either, except when I eat beef I want it as covered up as possible so that I can barely taste the beef. I imagine that my husband would love a flavorful recipe like this one.

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  5. I am not a buger fan ,so i can show this recipe to my hubby..recipe sounds great...

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  6. My family is getting use to the picture taking and even sometimes asks "aren't you going to take a picture of this?"

    We're all big beef eaters at my house, so this burger would be a hit!

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  7. Oh this sounds wonderful, wonderful!! I even love the thought of mustard butter..yum.

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  8. They sound great Katy and look delicious..

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  9. Oh dear, I love burgers very much.... whenever I am taking pictures, my 2 year old son,knows that there is something special I have cooked and he waits in a corner watching me take the pictures with a happy smile on his face

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  10. This burger is definitely a keeper. My family would enjoy this. Just intime for Labor Day too!

    Mine are used to the picture taking, but still tease me about it.

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  11. I don't eat beef very often but there isn't anything better than a big fat juicy hamburger.

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  12. Good grief, I went back and read my comment and saw a bunch of errors. Geesh.

    Anyway, Linda, thank you for asking the question if I liked this, and the answer is yes.

    This hamburger is meatloaf-y (because of the addition of the bread, I presume). I really liked the idea of the grated onions in this, an unusual technique for onions for me, and one which I liked as I don't care for slab 'o onions in my food. While I'm not too terribly keen on soy sauce or chili sauce in my burgers, they were a tasty addition here as the flavors were not overpowering; they were a subtle presence. Depending on one's tastebuds, one could add more, but I found the amounts quite satisfactory.

    Thanks for asking the question. I had started to blog my thoughts on this, saw a grammar error, went back to correct it and then forgot to continue with my thoughts LOL

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  13. I can't wait to try this!
    really tempting!!!

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  14. This is one special hamburger!!

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  15. I get so frustrated when my photos don't turn out! Argh!

    This is a wonderful simple burger and I love these littler rolls to put them on. I'm not a big bun fan.

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  16. This is such a clever and tasty sounding burger - another great idea! Thanks for sharing!

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  17. These sound so delicious - especially with the mustard butter. How divine that is!

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  18. The burgers look fantastic but mustard butter... I've never heard of such a thing! I bet it's awesome on a toasted bun!! Yum!

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  19. What an excellent twist on the hamburger and the mustard butter sounds delicious!! I've really come to enjoy "can't believe its not butter" I'll bet the mustard butter would taste great with that. As far as Ole Sweetie Pie's comments...I get those too. I even hate to start a NEW recipe (when he's looking over my shoulder) because he makes these little grunts when I stir in something he isn't so sure of....lol

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  20. I really like the ingredients list for these burgers! plus the mustard butter is way cool.

    Thank you for posting this. It's going on my list to make this coming week:)

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  21. I love the combination of ingredients you use for these burgers!!! I was just telling my husband the other day that a juicy burger sounded really good!

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  22. Yummy! So tasteful! Some different ingredients for a burguer! I'm curious about the flavour!

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  23. This does sound really flavorful. I think I'll try it with ground turkey. Thanks for the idea!!!

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  24. Everytime I go to take a picture the camera is missing! I think I need to buy Lauren her own!
    I love your blog its freindly and inviting! I can understand why so many friends grace your table!
    Love the b burger, hubby loves spicy!

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  25. I must try your recipe for the mustard butter! I have no fear for eating real butter with variety of flavours.....

    Angie's Recipes

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  26. LOL...I can just picture the look on ol' sweetie pie's face with your description :D These sounds really, really good!

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  27. I love butter and with the additional of mustard, should be a fantastic combo!

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  28. I am a beef eater and so these burgers look wonderful! They sound so full of flavor and the mustard butter sounds yummy...Great recipe, Katy...I think the carnivores in my family will love these!
    One Sunday after church, I drove my family to starvation while trying to take pictures of the food! So now, I don't make new dishes for Sun. dinner!LOL

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  29. This sounds really good. I'll bet the mustard butter is wonderful! We had grilled chicken breasts the other night with basil/Parmesan butter brushed on and served with it. Yum. Love that butter :)

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  30. I never met a burger I didn't like. What a great idea for the mustard burger. My blog has been so neglected lately, just no reason to cook. So I come and get inspired by you and your pictures (which I happen to think are just great).

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  31. i've actually never heard of mustard butter before. very interesting.

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  32. Oh these sound good Katy! I have to try these, and the mustard butter!! That's genius!!! Thanks for the kind words sweetie, hopefully life goes back to normal, whatever that is!! LOL!!

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  33. Hmmm, Katy I have to say I agree with you on my burgers except I don't like 'em at all but if I have to eat one or starve I like mine like yours, hold the ketchup!

    Bet my kiddos would like these and the mustard butter sounds interesting.
    ~ingrid

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  34. Hi Katy,

    I love a good beef hambuger too. This one looks delicious and I'm going to have to make the butter, it sounds so good.

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  35. I love a good burger off the bbq! These sound really yummy...and you're right...meatloaf-y. I like to mix it up a little and try different burger recipes. Taco burgers, pizza burgers, stuffed bacon burgers.... I'd definitely try this too.

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  36. I'm not a big hamburger person either, but when that craving hit, it hits hard. Yours look so tasty!

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  37. That mustard butter is genius!
    I never really crave beef, but I totally appreciate a good burger!

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  38. Guess what?!! I got 4 new (well, used... but new to me) bowls today! They are all china looking and different designs. I am so excited to take pictures using my 4 new china bowls. I thought about you when I got them and all your beautiful china plates!

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  39. Carrie, you make me smile BIG! I went out today and came back with a couple of dishes as well, grins.

    Looking forward to seeing your new dishes!

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  40. I can't believe how many times I started to leave a post only to be interrupted. What a busy couple of weeks....and here you are so faithful in keeping in touch.

    Katy...these look seriously good. I laughed and laughed about you taking the pic.....my boys just roll their eyes when I stop and balance their plates with their food and take pics....they think I am nuts! Grin. Turn up the BBQ...I'm coming for burgers!....green plates and all!

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