Onion Stuffed Bison Burgers

there are few things i like more than caramelized onions on a juicy hamburger. in my book, a hamburger isn't a burger without onions. of course i also love cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, mushrooms, avocado, bacon, mustard, etc. etc.

this weekend, the unofficial start of summer, i decided to put a different twist on the traditional burger. i sauteed up some onions as per usual, but then i did something crazy. hold on to your hats folks . . .

i put the onions inside the burger. this is the greatest idea ever my friends. cheese and onions inside the burger. it helps maintain juiciness and you get onions in every bite. they don't fall off or get pushed around. every bite has just enough onions and cheese.

the best part was E said after the first bite, and i quote "this is frickin ridiculous!" my job is done here folks.

of course you could take this idea a run with it. the possibilities are endless. you could stuff practically anything inside your burger. go ahead, give it a try. you may find you agree with E on this one.

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Onion Stuffed Bison Burgers
makes 4 burgers

2 lbs ground bison (or ground beef or turkey, whatever floats your boat)
1 package of onion and mushroom soup mix
1 tbs worcestershire sauce
1/2 tbs olive oil
1 onion
1 wedge laughing cow cheese (any flavor - i used garlic and herb)

preheat charcoal grill to high heat.

in a large skillet, add olive oil and heat pan to medium heat. slice onion thinly and add to pan. cook over medium heat for 5 minutes, stirring frequently. reduce heat to low and cover. let cook for 15-20 more minutes until tender and caramelized. add cheese and let it melt into the onions. remove from heat and let onions cool.

meanwhile, in a medium bowl, mix together ground meat, soup mix, and worcestershire sauce. form into 8 very thin patties. take a scoop of onions and place on top, in the middle of one patty. place another patty on top and pinch together the edges. reform into patty with your hands making sure no onions are peaking out the sides. repeat with remaining patties and onions.

grill over high heat for 5 minutes per side. enjoy!

The Weekly Nightcap - Turquoise Breeze

have you all ever tried pinnacle vodka? you may remember my post about their whipped cream vodka in my cream soda martini. i kind of love it. it was only natural that i would try some of their other flavors (whole list of their 27 flavors here).

while out picking up regular vodka for the strawberry-rhubarb martinis last week, i picked up pinnacle's cotton candy vodka. some of you may be cringing right now and thinking it would be way too sweet. however, i have a big sweet tooth. perhaps i never really grew up, but i still like cotton candy (i can't tell you the last time i ate it, but i would take a bite of your if you got it). i also love cotton candy ice cream. so, it was only natural that this would be the next flavor i would want to try.

i first made it as our dessert drink for a girls night out last weekend. i just mixed it with some 7up. it was sweet and delicious. it tasted like dessert. very similar to the whipped cream vodka but a little bit sweeter and less creamy.

this week, i thought i'd try to mix it up a bit and used hypnotic - a bottle that has been in our liquor cabinet for many, many years now. it's a blend of vodka, cognac, and tropical fruit juices and i thought it might go well with the cotton candy vodka. i call it a turquoise breeze because it's light blue, sweet, a little tropical, and refreshing. i'm sure it would taste good with the whipped cream vodka too.

p.s. pinnacle vodka did not sponsor this post, nor did i get anything from them to write about their vodka. pinnacle has no idea who i am, i just happen to like their vodka.

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Turquoise Breeze
makes 2 drinks

6 oz cotton candy vodka
2 oz hypnotic
ice
7up

fill 2 highball glasses with ice. pour 3 oz of cotton candy vodka in each glass and 1 oz of hypnotic in each glass. top off with 7up and stir well to combine.

Happy Memorial Day!

it's a good start to the holiday weekend here in maryland . . .

a sincere thank you to all who have served our country and to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. may we never take it for granted. ever.