Bacon and Cheese Burgers

I'm going to spare everyone my raving and just say...go make these as soon as you can!  If you love a good burger this one will be at the top of your list.  Stuffed burgers are all over the place in blog land but they just were too complicated for me the day I planned to make them.  Instead, I did these and boy were we happy with them! Really though, what could be bad about a burger that has bites of cheese and bacon mixed in?  Is there anything wrong, ever, with adding bacon?  Not in my book!!

What I love best is they are E. A. S. Y. to change up to suit your flavor preference.  Next time I will add finely chopped jalapenos for the hubby who likes his burgers with a little spice to them.  Go make them...please...and don't forget to pair them with these homemade buns because every great burger deserves a good bun to hold it all together!  Enjoy!

I'm linking up to a few linky parties this week, go check out the great recipes everyone is posting!

Bacon and Cheese Stuffed Burgers
Recipe Source: A Cook's Quest

2 lbs burger
1 tsp garlic powder
2 TB dry minced onion
2 TB. Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
about 1 1/2 cups cubed cheese of choice
about 8 slices of bacon, fried and crumbled

Combine all the ingredients in a big bowl.  Try not to mix too much, just enough to combine the ingredients. 

Pat the burger into a uniform rectangle.  Divide into equal portions.  I did eight portions to equal 1/4 pound patties.

Place in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to firm up and allow the flavors to meld together.  As the burgers are resting heat your grill.  Grill burgers until desired doneness is reached and place on a delicious homemade burger bun with your favorite toppings.  We added more cheese, pickles, tomato, grilled onions, lettuce, and fry sauce.  Mmmm delicious!

For those who aren't from an area familiar with Fry Sauce...it also called Pink Sauce and is basically mayonnaise and ketchup mixed together. Every restaurant and home cook has their own little twist.  Here is what mine "generally" looks like.

Jenn's Fry Sauce
1/2 cup mayonnaise
enough ketchup to added sweetness and to make the sauce pink, probably 1/4 cup or so
a squirt of mustard
BBQ sauce (more than the mustard, less than the ketchup amount)
2-3 shakes of seasoning salt
a squeeze of lemon juice or 1 tsp vinegar

Mix it all up in a bowl and top burgers with it or even better fry up some home made french fries and dip them in.  Delicious!

Calico Beans

I don't think any backyard BBQ is complete without beans.  Now I love homemade baked beans but I had never tried to make them.  I had, until now, been content with eating canned beans that I doctor up a little bit, or even better the homemade versions that others so kindly bring.  That is until I found this recipe posted by Heather at Gourmet Meals For Less, when she guest blogged over at Eatin' on the Cheap.  These beans are hearty, sweet, and utterly delicious with any food cooked on a grill, not to mention easy easy easy on the budget! 

**Cook's Note-I am posting this exactly as Heather posted it originally. No changes or alterations were need by this cook!  Her pricing is close to what mine would be, check out the total at the bottom--I love a good deal!

Calico Beans

Recipe Source: Heather from Gourmet Meals For Less

Serves 12

3-4 medium onions, halved and sliced 1.00
5 bacon strips, diced 1.00
2 garlic cloves, minced .08
1 cup packed dark brown sugar .20
1/2 cup cider vinegar .10
1/2 teaspoon ground mustard PI
2 cans (15-1/4 ounces each) lima beans, rinsed and drained .50 (I used dried I cooked ½ of 1 lb. bag)
2 cans (15 ounces each) pork and beans 1.38
1 can (16 ounces) kidney beans, rinsed and drained .69
Salt and Pepper to taste PI

PI (Pantry Item)
In a Dutch oven, saute the onions, bacon and garlic until onions are tender.

Add the brown sugar, vinegar and mustard; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 20 minutes.

Stir in beans. Transfer to a large baking dish. Cover and bake at 350° for 1 to 1/12 hours or until heated through and beans are tender.

Total Cost: $4.95 (.41 a serving)

**Cook's Note-Lima Beans can also be labeled butter beans.