Cover Story

Some like it hot

Peppers add a kick to burgers

By Jennie Pollock

ROCKFORD WOMAN

Jun 20, 2008 @ 12:01 AM

Burgers are the best. What else can I say?

Surprise your friends at your next cookout with this spicy recipe for Red River Burgers from Better Homes and Gardens.

To make it extra special, serve flavored ketchup or make your own by adding garlic or red pepper flakes.

Red River Burgers
  ½ cup chopped green onions
  2 tablespoons fine dry bread crumbs
  2 red serrano peppers, seeded and finely chopped
  3 canned chipotle chiles in adobo, chopped
  ½ teaspoon salt
  1 pound lean ground beef
  4 hamburger buns, toasted if desired
  Optional toppings: tomatoes, red onions or serrano peppers

Combine green onions, bread crumbs, serrano peppers, chipotles and salt in a large mixing bowl. Add beef and mix well. Shape meat mixture into four ¾-inch-thick patties.
For a charcoal grill, place patties on the grill rack directly over medium coals. Grill, uncovered, for 14 to 18 minutes or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the side of a patty registers 160 degrees, turning once. For a gas grill, preheat grill and reduce heat to medium. Cover and grill the same.

Jennie Pollock, who is a burger meister but not TV’s evil Burgermeister Meisterburger, will take your recipes and questions at jpollock@rockfordwoman.com or 815-987-1242.