Now That’s a Burger!

This question goes out to those living in America – what does the 4th of July mean to you? Does it touch your soul? Do you get teary-eyed when you see fireworks and hear a patriotic song?

As a native American (in birth and ancestry – I’m part Cherokee on my Dad’s side – as are a lot of folks from Oklahoma) my love for this country runs deep. Do we have a checked past? Of course. Just show me a country that doesn’t. Even the Vatican has a few skeletons in its closets. That’s just part of being human. None are perfect, and when put into a group setting, it can get ugly sometimes. To say that’s okay isn’t an excuse. Yet it is okay in the sense that we learned from those mistakes. We don’t own slaves anymore. Women have rights. Children are protected. There are laws with consequences if you harm one another. That’s progress. Are we perfect? No. All of humanity is a work in progress.

Anytime people are involved there’s bound to be mistakes made. God has a perfect plan. We don’t. All I can say is that I will forever be grateful to the good Lord above for all His patients. I know as faithful as I am, there will be some time spent in Purgatory before my final sleep. If I have to spend a day there washing my mouth out for every colorful word that has ever crossed my lips, you can bet I’ll be there for a long, long time. As a teenager, I had a mouth like a sailor. Even now, as an adult I sometimes forget to watch my words. Although strangely enough I have never uttered a bad word in front of my parents. It’s a respect thing. Listen to me, just rambling on.

Ahead of the 4th of July Celebrations, I thought I’d share with you a recipe from a while back. I had all but forgotten about these fresh ground burgers made from well-marbled Skirt Steaks. When I reminded Hubby, he said we needed to get those on the menu soon. So I did, just not for the 4th of July. Independence Day is an Extended Family Holiday, and as usual I’m in charge of the desserts.

If you’re gathering is small (as in about 8 hungry people) this is a great recipe. If not, just tuck it away someplace for the future. I promise it’ll be so delicious.

All-American Skirt Steak Burgers
Skirt Steak Burgers
2-1/2 lbs Skirt Steak
1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
Salt to taste
Black Pepper to taste
8 thin slices Sharp Cheddar Cheese (optional)
8 Kaiser Rolls or other hearty buns
Olive Oil as needed

All the Finishing Touches
8 thin Bamboo Skewers
1 large Red Onion
8 Green leaf lettuce Leaves
2 Beefsteak Tomatoes
Dill Pickle Chips as desired
Mustard as desired
Mayonnaise as desired
Ketchup as desired

Do Ahead: Soak bamboo skewers in water for 30 minutes. Peel red onion, slice into 8 thick slices, set aside until ready to grill. Rinse and pat dry lettuce leaves, slice tomatoes and drain pickle chips on paper towels. Prepare a serving platter with lettuce leaves, sliced tomatoes, pickles and small ramekins or bowls for mustard, mayonnaise and/or Ketchup as desired.

To Make Skirt Steak Burgers: Pick Skirt Steak that is well-marbled. This way you don’t have to add more fat to the ground meat. Cut meat into manageable “chunks”. Using a food processor fitted with a chopping blade, add half of the flap meat, rapidly pulse until the consistency of ground beef, 1-2 minutes. Remove meat to a bowl and season with salt, pepper and Worcestershire sauce. DO NOT MIX.

Repeat with remaining flap meat. Place second batch on top of the first batch with seasonings in between.

Use hands to mix seasonings in well into the meat. Form meat into eight 5-ounce balls. Flatten each ball into a hamburger patty. You are now ready for grilling.

Heat grill to medium-high heat. Brush grate with a little olive oil to prevent food from sticking.

While grill is heating, thread 1 slice of onion each bamboo skewer (looks like a lollipop), and brush onion on both sides with olive oil.

To Grill the Skirt Steak Burgers and Onions: Place burgers on the grill; place onion lollipops alongside burgers. Grill burgers and onions to desired doneness, about 3 to 5 minutes per side depending upon the heat of the grill. Flip burgers and turn onions at about the same time.

Once the burgers are cooked through, transfer to a platter, top with cheese (if desired) and tent loosely. Allow to rest 5 minutes to retain juices. Remove onions, CAREFULLY remove skewers and arrange grilled onions on the platter with other condiments.

Brush buns lightly with olive oil. Grill buns, cut side down, until golden, about 2 minutes or so. Plate buns and call everyone to build their burgers.

---

The Father willed to give us birth by the word of truth
that we may be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.