Crave Wednesday: Simple Perfect Fresh-Ground Brisket Burgers

Hey guys!  Happy New Year!  I feel like it's been ages since I've posted anything of substance.  And usually that kind of radio silence is usually followed by some kind of blogger pregnancy announcement.  

Don't get your hopes up.  That's not the case here.  I was actually working on another little project - Thatbaby's Christmas stocking.  Thatkid was born in October and his stocking was done by his first Christmas.  I had 6 months to make Thatbaby's stocking.....I spent pretty much every night in December working on it, forgoing most of my other duties.

But it's a new year, and we've been busy.  So stay tuned for lots of catching up adventures.  Like Thatkid's first football game!

Thatboy called me from work to see if I would be interested in going to a football game that night.  One of his coworkers won free tickets to SDSU's Homecoming game, but already had tickets.  So she passed them along to us.

It was a night game, but it was worth it because Thatkid was fascinated by the game. 

I'm sure it didn't hurt that Thatboy introduced him to one of the best parts of sporting events - junk food.

And it was an especially exciting game because the Aztecs won.  Or as Thatkid calls them "our team."  He has also decided he wants to play football when he grows up.  This week at least.

I had hoped Thatbaby would fall asleep on the way there.  He didn't.  He also didn't fall asleep immediately once we got there, despite the late hour.  He was too interested in all the excitement around us.  But eventually even that couldn't keep him awake.

Being at the game reminded us of our own college football game experiences.  And given the success of this outing, we're excited to take the kids to a UCLA game next fall.  And though we didn't tailgate this game, one of the highlights of a football game is the barbecue in the parking lot.  All the little grills and smells of sausages, hot dogs, and hamburgers. 

This is a fantastic upgrade from your typical burger recipe.  It's the same preparation and easy seasoning, but with brisket instead of ground chuck or sirloin.  Brisket adds a whole new level of flavor, as anyone who's a fan of barbecue can attest to.  The original calls for grinding your own brisket, which you can do.  I find it much easier to ask my butcher to grind it for me.  After all, their meat grinder is far superior to anything I might be able to use at home.

Simple Perfect Fresh-Ground Brisket Burgers (From Cooking Light)

1 lb ground beef brisket

1/4 kosher salt

1/8 tsp freshly ground black pepper

cooking spray 4 slices cheddar cheese

4 hamburger buns, toasted

4 green leaf lettuce leaves

4 slices tomato

1. Divide meat into 4 equal patties.  Press thumb in center of each patty, leaving a nickel sized indentation.  Cover and chill until ready to grill.
2. Preheat grill to medium-high heat.  Sprinkle patties with salt and pepper.  Place on grill rack coated with cooking spray.  Grill 2 minutes.  Carefully turn patties and grill 3 more minutes.
3. Place 1 cheese slice and 1 patty on bottom half of each bun.
4. Top each serving with 1 lettuce leaf, 1 tomato slice, and top half of bun.