It’s August—we celebrated with burgers on the grill on Memorial Day, then again on the 4th, and again at the neighborhood block party, and aaagaaain every Monday and Thursday since June (just because it’s summer and that’s what we do). Or—worse—maybe you’re like the poor girl in Queens who transported four In-N-Out burgers from San Diego to NYC (to save? to share? to eat later? to madden her fellow coast-to-coast plane travelers? to perplex the city of New York?) only to find a hole in the bag. Anyone else follow this gripping story? I’m not even a New Yorker and I was intrigued by the mystery. She was pretty burgered-out too—or rather, out a burger.
Whatever your reason, I hear you. The whole handheld, between-bread thing is still on the table, but something other than beef and cheese please! The truth is…I’ve been coming up with alternatives to beef and cheese burgers for as long as I can remember. Beef has just never been my thing (there, I said it!). Coming up with any old alternative is not hard (never met a PB&J I didn’t like). What’s hard is coming up with alternatives that will satisfy—no, entice—even the most beef and cheese loyal. Well, I have a multitude of suggestions for you.
First up—two on-the-grill, between-bun, dripping-with-flavor concoctions that are somethin’ special from top to bottom—no haphazardly strewn pickle slices or explosive ketchup squirts here. They’re my Ginger-Scallion Turkey Burgers with a double drizzle of mustardy-sweet Special Sauce and Grilled Green Tomato Sliders with a dual shmear of Fig & Goat Cheese Spread. Yum-my! If you’re not feeling the heat of the grill, then try my Crispy Smoked Salmon Sandwiches with Balsamic Mascarpone Spread (yes, I said “crispy” and it happens in a matter of minutes—no going back to those slippery slices now!). Or perhaps you want a little outdoor, grill-side respite where you can hang with just your tongs, a cold beverage, and gentle breeze. In that case, make my Peach-Jalapeno Barbecue Chicken. It has a really palatable sweet-heat and hint of hoppiness.
Let’s not forget the sides! Come August, we may be burgered-out, but we’re just gearing up for some really good corn. If you’re like me and you jumped the gun—you picked-up some of that July corn—hit the reset button. August corn is something else entirely. It’s plump, juicy, and sweet, sweet, sweet. Both my Grilled Corn Salad with Avocado Pesto and Grilled Corn & Peach Matchstick Slaw were made for August!
