Mini BBQ burgers on a pretzel bun

I am a little sad.  I had such hopes for grilling these burgers, but the temperature dropped twenty degrees in an hour and it got SUPER windy.  Thanks, Lubbock!

However, I had my George Foreman grill, which is an okay replacement.  No, it doesn't give it the grilled flavor, but it isn't too bad.  I love that mine has removable plates.  It makes clean up 1000x easier.

This is really a variation of the turkey burgers I posted in May.  I just really wanted beef this time.

Mini BBQ Burgers on pretzel buns

1/2 lb 93/7ground beef
1/4 cup crushed crackers (I used Texas Firecrackers because they are awesome.)
1/2 an egg, beaten (or, as I used 1 1/2 tablespoons egg beaters)
2 tablespoons milk
seasoning to taste (I used garlic powder, onion powder, red and black pepper, a dash of cayenne and salt)
4 Sister Schubert's pretzel buns (baked according to directions)

Toppings

2 tablespoons Tony Packo's BBQ sauce (or whatever sauce you like)
1 slice cheddar jack cheese
1 tablespoon french fried onions
4 dill pickle slices

The construction of these burgers is really simple.

First, mix all the ingredients (minus the buns) together.  I used my hands, because it mixes more easily that way. 

Next, form them into four small burger patties.  If you are using a George Foreman, make them into meatballs instead.  The grill will flatten them. 

Cook them until they are well done (these include egg, so it is better to be safe).  It took my burgers about 10 minutes, but it will depend on the thickness and the temperature.  I didn't really preheat the grill, so it may take less time. 

Cut the pretzel buns in half and put the burger on the bottom.  Add the cheese, BBQ sauce, and fried onions to the top.  Add the pickles to the other side. 

I served my burgers with sweet potato fries and a small salad with thousand island dressing.  It was a lovely, lovely dinner.  Luckily, I have left overs too :-)

Happy Valentine's Day!

My blog went to the back burner (if you will excuse the cooking humor) over the summer because I was focusing on my qualifying exams.  In the fall, I actually took (and passed) those exams.  I've been recovering.  However, I'm feeling pretty good now that I have half a horrible, almost complete draft of one chapter of my dissertation turned in.

In celebration, my food blog is returning!  Yay!  And on Valentine's Day too.

To me, Valentine's Day has always been about more than just romantic love.  It probably comes from my parents always celebrating Valentine's Day with me and my sister.  It was never just about them.  So, I like to celebrate in a variety of ways.  Spending time with friends.  Sending out gifts to family and friends (I made cookies this year---that is a long story that will not be featured here).

This year, I decided to start the day with some heart shaped donuts.  I'd bought a heart shaped donut pan on clearance and I just HAVE to use it.  I was going to make cake batter donuts with red velvet cake mix (using It's Always Autumn's recipe here). Perfect for Valentine's Day, right?

However, I had a sad, brown banana waiting to be transformed, so I looked for a banana donut recipe on Pinterest (where else?)  I found this one from Get Me Cooking.  I modified it a little, mainly because I wanted some peanut butter flavor in there.

Banana Donuts with Peanut Butter and Chocolate

1 small, ripe banana, mashed
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup + 1 tablespoon greek yogurt
1 tablespoon Light Smart Balance, melted
3 tablespoons Egg Beaters
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup all purpose flour
1/4 cup PB2, powdered peanut butter
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup mini chocolate chips

1.)  Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.  Spray donut pan with non-stick spray.
2.) Mix banana, sugar, and greek yogurt in a small bowl.

3.) Add melted butter, egg beaters (you can also just use an egg), and vanilla and mix well.

4.) Stir in dry ingredients until just combined.

5.) Fold in mini chocolate chips.

6.)  Using a pastry bag or a ziplock bag with the corner cut off, fill the donut pan until about 3/4 full (I overfilled a little so I got 10 donuts instead of 12).

7.) Bake 12-15 minutes.

After I took them out of the pan, I drizzled them with melted chocolate chips and put Valentine's Day sprinkles on them.  They were quite the perfect breakfast with my coffee. 

Yum.  My sister got me the owl mug for Valentine's Day last year.  It is the perfect accompaniment for the donuts!