Monday, June 20, 2011

Feta Stuffed BLT Burger with New Potato and Green Bean Salad

It is not often that my darling husband makes a request for something to eat...yes... he will say make some pasta, or something else, but he is usually vague and lets me decide how I am going to make something. He surprised me by requesting this burger for his Father's Day dinner. I had left the June copy of Everyday Food on the kitchen table and he happened to see this...he asked me to make it and I am so glad I did.

Really delicious! I often stuff burgers with some kind of cheese. A favorite is pepper Jack or Maytag Blue. I have never used Feta. And bacon? What could ever be wrong with that?
Feta Stuffed BLT Burger
June 2011 Everyday Food Magazine
Ingredients

8 slices bacon
1 1/2 pounds ground beef chuck
4 ounces feta, crumbled (1 cup)
Coarse salt and ground pepper
4 whole-wheat hamburger buns, split and lightly toasted
4 leaves Bibb or Boston lettuce
1 large tomato, sliced crosswise

Directions

In a large nonstick skillet, cook bacon over medium-high until fat is rendered and bacon is browned, about 5 minutes, flipping halfway through. Transfer to paper towels to drain. Form beef into 8 thin 5-inch patties. Top 4 patties with 1/4 cup cheese each, leaving a 1/4-inch border, then top with remaining patties. Pinch edges to seal; season burgers with salt and pepper.
Pour off fat from skillet, wipe clean, and heat over medium. Add 2 burgers and cook until dark brown and firm to the touch, about 10 minutes, flipping halfway through. Repeat with remaining burgers. Serve burgers on buns with bacon, lettuce, and tomato.

my notes:
I weighed out six ounce burgers, then I halved them and stuffed with the Feta as per the recipe. I grilled them outside rather than making them in a pan. I used Niman Ranch Applewood Smoked Bacon and I partially cooked that and drained on a paper towel, then finished the bacon on the grill over indirect heat. I only used one slice of bacon cut in half per burger as the bacon sliced were rather large. I used Greek Feta from Trader Joe's that comes in a tub with brine...very good feta, not terribly salty and neither was this bacon. We had them on Martin's Potato rolls...the burger bun of choice here, if I am not using homemade.

This was a delicious combination....I served it with a wonderful recipe that I have been making for years now...A Potato and Green Bean Salad...and some wonderful corn on the cob.(not pictured!)



I have gotten recipes from so many friends I have met on the internet over the years. Some stand out and my friend chefbeck/Becky is one of those people. I have gotten countless tried and true recipes from her and if she says something is good I never have to worry about whether or not it will be...When I receive a winner from someone I always feel indebted to them somehow and that recipe always makes me think of them.It becomes their recipe by default, I know that sounds funny, but I always give credit where credit is due. This is one of those...I always call it Becky's Potato Green Bean Salad around here...and smile!
New Potato and Green Bean Salad
adapted from Bon Appetit 1994/source chefbeck/CK
Serves 6

Dressing:
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
2 T. Dijon mustard
2 T. fresh lemon juice
1 garlic clove, minced
Dash of Worcestershire sauce
1/3 to 1/2 cup olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste

Salad:
1 1/2 pounds small red-skinnned potatoes
3/4 pound haricot vert (see Note below), stems trimmed
1 small red onion, chopped
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
Salt and pepper to taste

For Dressing:
Whisk first 5 ingredients in medium bowl. Gradually whisk in oil. Season to taste with salt and pepper. (Dressing can be made 1-2 days ahead. Cover and chill. Bring to room temp and rewhisk before using.)

For Salad:
Steam potatoes until tender. Cool; cut into quarters. Cook green beans in large pot of boiling salted water until crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Drain. Transfer beans to bowl of ice water and cool. Drain. Cut beans in half. Combine beans, potatoes, onion and basil in large bowl. Add dressing and toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper. (Can be prepared 4 hours ahead; cover and let stand at room temp.) Garnish bowl with a small bunch of fresh basil before serving.

Note: If you can't find haricot vert, buy the slenderest green beans available. 
My Notes: I soak the chopped red onion in ice water for a few minutes and then rinse in a strainer and dry with paper toweling.That keeps the onion from being too sharp. I also do not add all the dressing at one time...I put in 3/4 of it and that was plenty, sometimes it is and sometimes not, you have to see what works for you. I used baby Dutch Yellow potatoes for this particular salad.

27 comments:

  1. That salad:) Wow..you know..to me that's a real father's day meal:) Exactly what my daughter and her husband were going to do..The recipes look great Linda..:)

    Thanks..

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  2. Thanks Monique...it was lovely. A lovely warm evening...no humidity...
    We sat outside on the deck...nice family time!

    The salad is wonderful...I know you would enjoy it!

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  3. Looks like a perfect Father's day meal Linda. :-)))
    Love your pic, you seem so happy which is a good thing. Thanks for sharing your recipe and photo's.

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  4. Thanks Erica...(((((hugs)))))

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  5. all looks and sounds delicious, linda. I have to do burgers too soon. and the salad, i recently rediscovered beans, yours looks so yummy.

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  6. scott would love this! we have sliders almost everytime we go to the beach now, a little xtra pizzaz would delight him!

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  7. I hope you try and enjoy them my friends...
    I was a bit taken aback when my husband requested these...I thought they could be too salty...but that was not the case at all...
    L xoxoxox

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  8. Linda, that is one of the best looking burgers I've seen. If I didn't already have something planned for dinner both your burgers and salad would be on the menu tonight.

    Ann

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  9. Thank you Ann....I think you all would really like this one...

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  10. I need to stuff burgers more often, Linda...yours look gorgeous with that nice thick tomato and bacon. And that potato salad is an old favorite of ours, too...thanks for reminding me of it :)

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  11. Thanks for stopping by and your kind comments my friends!

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  12. That burger looks fantastic but I've got my eye on that yummy salad. I could make a meal of that alone.

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  13. I can see why he loved it, Linda. I enjoy stuffing burgers with cheese or herb butter since it gives the inside a little kick (the outside already has that magnificent GRILL flavor). Never thought of feta... must try!!! The potato salad looked great too!

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  14. I love salad, I can't eat my meal without salad, but I stay away from burger, before I really eat burger but my doc said to limit my self eating burger because of my high cholesterol, I only make burgers for my kids and I will try this one.

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  15. Raquel...everything in moderation...
    Thanks for stopping by!

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  16. Every once in a while, I crave a burger - but it has to be a good burger. This constitutes a great burger. And your salad is my favorite way to eat potato salad.

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  17. Me too Linda...every once in a while there is nothing like a great burger...hits the spot!

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  18. Hi, I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoy your blog. I make a side dish of sautéed green beans, potatoes, and oregano. I must give the salad a try with grilled chicken this weekend.

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  19. Hello....that burger and salad look heavenly!
    I'm pleased to tell you that you won my giveaway today!
    Please email me your postal details so I can get your gift to you.
    Shel x

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  20. Karen thanks you so much for stopping by and leaving your very kind comment! I appreciate it very much!

    Shel...wow! What a lovely surprise!
    Check your email!
    Thank you so much!

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  21. Linda, look at all I've missed since I've not been around in blogland much! I would love this meal ~ that is one of my favorite salads, too. Great pics!! Your LUCKY family.... :) :) :)

    Have a happy 4th my friend! xoxo

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  22. Those burgers...are making me reallll hungry right now and I just brushed my teeth to go to bed! Hahaha!

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  23. That new potato and green bean salad is calling my name! Looks so good. :)

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  24. Thanks Tori...the salad is wonderful. The burgers however are far from Kosher...thus spoken by a Jewish girl!Hope you enjoy the salad if you make it!

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