My Bacon and Bleu Burgers

These guys were originally on the menu for Memorial Day but we ended up going out so I didn't actually get around to making them until Tuesday.  We've eaten and loved these burgers before but, as usual these days, I made a vegetarian version using a good quality meat substitute, vegan Worcestershire, and fake bacon.  It was a very tasty, almost-summertime dinner.

1lb. ground beef

1 TBSP Worcestershire sauce

2 TBSP Dijon mustard, creamy

1/2 tsp. dried thyme leaves

3 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled

salt and pepper, to taste

Bleu cheese, crumbled, to taste 

 

1.  In a large bowl, combine the meat, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, thyme, bacon, salt, and pepper. 

 

2.  Form mixture into patties and cook/grill over medium heat until cooked through.  Mine were done in about 8-10 min. per side. 

Smeared guacamole on both sides of the bun and added

with Bleu cheese, lettuce, tomato, and red onion. 

Served with garlic fries.

Fake Steak Kabobs

The majority of the meals I cook at home lately are vegetarian and, on occasion, vegan.  It's something I'm experimenting with....

So, last night I tried out a recipe for beef kabobs, only I didn't use beef.  I bought the BBQ skewers by Gardein, rinsed off the sauce, marinated them according to the recipe, threw them on the grill pan, and watched as they smoked and sizzled just like real meat.

My husband knew what I was up to but we did not tell the teenager who thinks a meal isn't complete unless some animal was slaughtered for it.  I was amazed as I watched him eat two whole kabobs and everything else on his plate without even questioning it.

Here is the recipe I used:

1/4c olive oil

1/4c red wine vinegar

1 tsp. Dijon mustard

sea salt, to taste

black pepper, to taste

1 pkg. Gardein BBQ skewers

1.  Rinse skewers to remove the bbq sauce that comes on them; set aside.

2.  Make the marinade:  Combine the olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper.

3.  Add the skewers and marinate approximately 30 minutes at room temperature.

4.  Add a little more olive oil (or use non-stick spray) and heat on high.

5.  Place the skewers on the grill pan, turning about every minute or so until they look good to you. 

Served over parslied couscous with roasted carrots and rosemary bread on the side.

 

Traditional Mexican Tacos

There was a time in my life when Taco Night meant frying some ground beef with the pre-packaged seasoning and spooning it into shells or tortillas with lettuce, tomato, and cheese. 

Nothing wrong with that but there is a better way.

It involves the grill, steak, jalapenos.....who's with me?

These are some seriously good tacos:

2 pounds top sirloin steak

salt and pepper, to taste

2 TBSP vegetable oil

18 (6 inch) corn tortillas

1 medium onion, diced

2 fresh jalapeno peppers, seeded and chopped

4 limes

1 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped

1 medium tomato, chopped

2c. crumbled cojito cheese

1.  Season steaks with salt, pepper, and lime juice. 

Allow to marinate for 15-20 minutes.

2.  Place steaks on pre-heated grill and cook until desired doneness.

3.  Remove from heat and allow to rest approximately 10 minutes

before slicing into thin strips.

4.  Meanwhile, heal oil in skillet and saute onions and jalapenos. 

5.  Heat tortillas.  (I just wrapped them in a wet paper towel and
popped them in the microwave.)

6.  Place tortillas on a plate, and top with steak strips, onion,
jalapeno, cilantro, and tomato guacamole to taste.

7. Top with cojito cheese for authentic Mexican flavor!

So good!