THE PREFECT HAMBURGER

HOW TO MAKE THE PREFECT HAMBURGER

Burgers may be the basic of all picnic menus, but they needn't be boring. Jazzed up with spices and seasonings or topped with your favorite condiments, a good burger is hard to beat. From basic lettuce, tomato, and pickle to sautéed onions or bacon, the possibilities are endless. Burgers just taste better when cooked on the grill and enjoyed outdoors.

Building a better burger is easy when you follow these suggestions:
Make sure the grill is the appropriate temperature too hot, and the burgers will burn on the outside before getting done on the inside. Medium-low to medium heat is best.
Keep the lid closed while cooking. A closed lid retains heat, shortening the cooking time and thus keeping the burgers moist.
Use beef that is no leaner than 85% Fat is needed for the burgers to be moist and flavorful.
If using ground turkey or chicken, add a little broth or olive oil to keep them moist.
Use a gentle touch overworking the mixture will produce a tough burger. Mix ingredients just until combined.
Don't form patties too thick or too thin A ¾-inch thick patty is ideal for even cooking. To keep patties from swelling in the middle, make small indention in the center.
Always clean and oil the grill grate This prevents burgers from sticking, extends the life of your grate and helps put those beautiful grill-marks on your patties.
Turn burgers only once and never, ever, press burgers with the back of a spatula: the sizzling sound may be fun to make, but the pressure releases all of the flavorful juices.
Cook burgers properly for safety's sake; cook ground beef to an internal temperature of 160 degrees F (170 degrees F for poultry).
To check the temperature, insert the thermometer into the patty horizontally for an accurate reading.

SOUL FOOD FAMILY OUTING MENUS

When you are planning a picnic, family group picnic or just an old-fashioned get together, these soul food picnic menus work quite well for outdoor gatherings.

PICNIC MENUS

GRILLED SMOKED SAUSAGE
Grilled Hamburgers
Macaroni Salad
Baked Beans or Chips
Watermelon Wedges
Sandwich Buns
Lemonade/Iced Tea

BBQ CHICKEN
Grilled Hamburgers
Grilled Hot Dogs
Southern Potato Salad
Macaroni Salad or Corn on Cob
Rolls and Buns
Lemonade/Raspberry Tea

BBQ SPARE RIBS
Grilled Smoked Sausage
Southern Potato Salad
Fresh Garden Salad with Dressing
Baked Beans
Rolls and Buns
Lemonade/Raspberry Tea

Mini Sandwiches
Potato Chips
Fresh Fruit
Cookies
Lemonade/Raspberry Tea

KIDS PICNIC MENUS

GRILLED HOT DOGS WITH BUNS
Corn on Cob
Baked Beans
Potato Chips
Cookies
Fruit Punch