I love burgers!  This All-American staple is a basic recipe that can be creatively transformed into an endless array of dishes. You have the basic formula of bun, burger and toppings.  This is where you can get inventive!  A different bread, new herbs and spices or a fun topping can transform your basic burger into a flavor adventure.  Get your passports ready, because it’s time for “Around The World Burgers!”

Here is a basic burger mixture, but there are 4 variations of simple additions that will make your burgers sensational!  Your burgers can be Asian, Middle-Eastern, French, or Bavarian for a wonderful change of pace in your summer grilling.

Basic Burger Mixture:

1 beaten egg

3/4 cup soft bread crumbs

1-1/4 pounds ground beef

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

Combine all ingredients.  To make each burger special, add your favorite world flavors below to each basic recipe, then form into 4 equal-sized patties.  Grill over direct medium-hot heat for about 14 minutes total time, or until desired doneness, turning burgers once.  Makes 4 burgers of choice.

Asian Burger:

Combine the basic burger mixture and set aside.

Stir together:

2 Tablespoons bottled minced garlic

2 Tablespoons toasted sesame seed

4 teaspoons soy sauce

4 teaspoons toasted sesame oil

2 teaspoons granulated sugar

Mix half of this sesame mixture into the basic burger mixture.  To the other half of the sesame mixture, mix in 2 Tablespoons of coarsely chopped, prepared kimchee; set aside.  (Kimchee is a spicy Korean vegetable condiment found in the Asian section of grocery stores).  Shape and grill burgers as directed above.  Serve burgers on toasted sesame buns topped with the kimchee-sesame mixture.

Middle Eastern Burger:

To the basic burger mix, add:

1/4 cup drained, rinsed, and coarsely chopped canned chickpeas (garbanzos)

2 Tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

2 teaspoons ground cumin

Shape and grill burgers as directed above.  Serve in warm pita pockets with chopped cucumber, tomato, and tahini sauce.

French Burger:

To the basic burger mix, add:

1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese, plus additional for topping as desired

2 Tablespoons drained capers

2 Tablespoons minced fresh tarragon

Shape and grill burgers as directed above.  Serve French burgers on toasted, sliced sourdough bread, topped with additional crumbled blue cheese.

Bavarian Burger:

To the basic burger mix, add:

2 Tablespoons toasted, crushed caraway seeds

Shape and grill burgers as directed above, but add slices of Muenster cheese to tops of burgers after turning once.  Serve burgers with beer mustard on warmed pretzel buns, or rye bread.  (If you love sauerkraut, you can also top burgers with it, or add some into the meat mixture).

Have you been following the TGIF series this summer?  Check out past grilling articles:

Grilled Potatoes with Onion Butter

Hot and Smokin’ Grilled Nut Munch

Grilled Banana Splits

Grilled Flatbread Pizza

T-Bone Steak

Portobello Mushroom Fajitas

Martini Steaks with a Twist

Grilled Corn

Beer Can Chicken

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TGIF – Grilling With A “Twist!”

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Categories: Around the World, Better Recipes, Celebrations and Parties, Dinner Tonight, Fast and Fabulous, Tasty Travel | Tags: Beef Recipes, Easy Recipes, Grilled Burgers & Brats, Grilled Recipes, Hamburger Recipes
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