Grill it! Ranch Burgers

Hellooooo, Spring! I'm not sure where you're from, but here in Georgia the weather has been absolutely, amazingly beautiful this weekend. My husband and I finally invested in a grill about a month ago, and we've been putting it to good use...and this weekend has been no exception!

Yesterday, we had my brother-in-law, his girlfriend and their five-year-old son, Sebastian over to grill out and spend some time together. It was so perfect outside that we spent all of our time sitting out on the deck and just enjoying ourselves. We had so much fun, in fact, that I completely spaced on taking pictures...oops. I promise, though, today's recipe is really yummy - and you'll want to try it!

I have to say, I normally go over the top and make all kinds of yummy stuff whenever we have people coming over...but I've been SO busy with the book lately that I just haven't had time :( Sad, but true. Still, we had plenty of food and going with some cookout staples was a simple and great way to go. I made pasta salad and baked beans, bought a fruit and cheese tray and some mini cupcakes (with red, white and blue frosting, of course). Our guests brought over a veggie tray to complete our spread and it was just the right amount of food.

So what was the main dish? Well, we went with hamburgers (okay, we added American cheese, so technically cheeseburgers), using the recipe below for a little extra "zing." Need a great burger recipe for your Memorial Day cookout? Look no further - it's right here. As a note...this is not MY recipe...it's one that I've seen in so many different cookbooks/websites that you may have even seen it before. The source that I will provide is a cookbook titled Quick Fixes from Brand Name Mixes. I took the "Lipton Onion Burgers" recipe and adjusted it slightly to my tastes, subbing and doubling the ranch mix for the onion soup mix. This recipe will make eight 1/4 lb burgers or six 1/3 lb burgers.

Ranch Burgers

2 lbs ground beef

2 (1 oz) packets dry Ranch dressing mix

1/2 cup water

Mix all ingredients in a large bowl and form into patties. Grill for 5 minutes on each side or until done. 

We made sure to have a variety of toppings for everyone, including lettuce, tomato, onion, chopped jalapenos, sliced avocado, ketchup, mustard and a homemade spicy mayo (it's really easy - 1/2 cup mayo, 2 tbs hot sauce (like Texas Pete) and 1 finely grated garlic clove, mixed together). At the end of the day, we were all stuffed but happy! It was a great afternoon.

While you're hanging out/grilling out this weekend, take time to remember and celebrate those who fight for our country, no matter where they are in the world. Our freedom isn't free, and we have so many men and women to thank for protecting it!

Until next time...

Cheers!

Grill It!: Paella with Chicken and Shrimp

Well, tomorrow is the last day of August. That's right - when we wake up on Saturday, it will be September. Already! I can't believe how fast this year has gone by. I can't lie and say I'm not excited by the first signs of Fall; it's my favorite season, after all. There's just something cozy about it: the crisp, clean smell of the air, the deep, rich colors that come with the changing of the leaves, the pumpkin spice lattes (and beers, and, okay, pie - if you like that kind of thing). I love it.

That being said, I will be a little sad to see Summer go. Today I'm giving you a recipe prepared with the quintessential summertime cooking tool (aka the grill)...with a little taste of Autumn. With the ease that comes with cooking on the grill, this dish can't get much simpler to prepare - kind of like the lazy days of Summer; its flavors, however, are complex and vibrant, just like the colors of Fall.

Paella with Chicken & Shrimp

 1 cup uncooked Spanish rice mix

1 1/4 cups chicken broth

6 peeled large shrimp

4 chicken breast halves

1/4 cup pimiento-stuffed olives

1/4 cup roasted red pepper strips

1/2 tsp paprika

Olive oil 

Pepper

Large disposable pie pan

Aluminum foil 

Combine first 9 ingredients in large, disposable pie pan and seal the pan in foil. Grill over medium-high heat for 30 minutes. Remove from grill and allow 5 minutes before removing foil (carefully!) and serving.
 

Enjoy! Until next time...

Cheers!

*Like easy slow cooker recipes? "Slow Cooker September" starts next week! Tune in for fabulous recipes - I'll be posting nothing but crockpot fixin's for the entire month!