Love. We use the word freely in this country. We love sunny days, we love hanging with our friends, we love baseball, we love burgers and fries. Many of us love the fathers in our lives, too.
Let’s put that love on the grill this Father’s Day. I say we hang with friends, watch some baseball, and cook spicy double burgers with lots of cheese in honor of fathers near and far.
First, we’re taking a cue from our favorite burger stand and spreading toasted burger buns with a spicy cheese spread. It’s simple: Mash sharp cheddar and soft cream cheese together with hot sauce and roasted red peppers. A rich mushroom and onion sauté, seasoned with a bit of steak sauce, adds luxurious flavor and texture.
Ground venison makes a deliciously rich, yet lean, out-of-the-ordinary burger. You can order it online or find it at Whole Foods and specialty meat markets. If you’re feeling hesitant about a gamey flavor, you can mix it 50-50 with lean ground beef. Venison, like beef, will be most juicy when cooked to medium or medium-rare. I prefer to use ground turkey for guests that request a well-cooked burger.
Thin burgers cook quickly, so be sure everything is ready before you set them on the grill. Have a helper to assemble the double burgers as soon as they are cooked.
Serve the burgers with potato salad or homemade sweet potato fries and a leafy green salad dressed with fruity olive oil and red wine vinegar. The fathers in my life would be super happy with ice cream sundaes topped with hot caramel sauce for dessert. Happy to oblige.
Double Burgers With Spicy Cheese, Mushrooms, and Onions
Makes 4 burgers
