Grilled Hamburgers

Hamburgers on the grill were never like this!

2 lbs ground sirloin
4 shallots, minced
1-1/2 tbsp capers
5 tbsp dry red wine
1-1/2 tsp salt
5 tbsp grainy Dijon mustard
5 tbsp coarsely ground peppercorns

Mix the sirloin, capers, wine, and salt together in a large bowl until well combined. Divide the meat mixtures into 8 equal parts and shape each part into a hamburger patty.

Spread each side of the patties with 1 teaspoon of the mustard (2 teaspoons per patty), then press 1 teaspoon of the ground peppercorns lightly into each side of the patties (again 2 teaspoons per hamburger). Let stand at room temprature for 30 minutes.

Prepare charcoal or wood chips for grilling.

Meanwhile, prepare the tomato-leek sauce:

4 tbsp butter
2 leeks, quartered and minced
5 ripe tomatoes, diced
3 tbsp cognac
2 tbsp fresh tarragon
3 tbsp cream
Salt to taste

Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the leeks and cook for 5 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes and cook 5 minutes longer. Stir in the Cognac, tarragon, cream, and salt to taste. Reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes and keep warm until ready to serve.

When the coals are hot, grill the hamburgers to desired doneness. Serve on a bed of the tomato-leek sauce or, if preferred, serve with the sauce alongside.

Makes 8 hamburgers.

Sarah & Jason



Chicken Enchilada Soup


1 bag tortilla chips, halved

1 sm. onion, chopped

1 clove garlic, crushed

2 tbsp. vegetable oil

1 sm. jar picante sauce

1 can diced tomatoes

1 can beef broth

1 can chicken broth

1 can cream of chicken soup

1 can chunk-style chicken or shredded chicken breasts

1 1/2 c. water

1 can coconut milk

1 tbsp. steak sauce

2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

1 tsp. cumin

1 tsp. chili powder

1 tsp. Chipotle chili powder

1/8 tsp. pepper

3 c. shredded cheddar cheese

Paprika


Saute onion and garlic in 2 tablespoons hot oil in Dutch oven. Add remaining ingredients except cheese and paprika and chips; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat and simmer 1 hour. Serve with bowls for the chips and cheese, sprinkle them, along with paprika, over the soup once it has been served. Yield: 8 cups.

Laura

Cucumber Spread


2 cups (1 pound) creamed cottage cheese

1 package (3 oz) cream cheese, softened

1 package (.56 oz) green onion dip mix

1/2 cup minced peeled cucumber

1/2 cup chopped watercress

1/2 tsp dill weed

chopped radishes


In a bowl, mix all ingredients except radishes. Chill at least one hour. Garnish with radishes and serve with crackers. Makes about 3 cups.

Mimi

Southern Cheese Grits


1 cup stone-ground grits

4 cups boiling water

2 cups grated cheddar cheese

1 stick of butter

2 tsp garlic powder

hot sauce to taste


Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Stir grits slowly into salted boiling water. Skim any chaff. Return to boiling; reduce heat, cover and cook slowly, stirring occasionally until thick and cooked through, about 18-20 min. Slowly stir cheese, butter, garlic powder and hot sauce into cooked grits. Pour mixture into a lightly buttered casserole dish and bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour. Serves 4-6.

Jason

Taco Salad


Brown about 1 pound ground beef, adding packaged taco seasoning as it cooks. Drain well and cool.


Salad ingredients: (amount varies depending on how many servings desired)

lettuce
sharp cheese shredded

tomatoes cut in wedges
onions

red pepper strips

Dressing:
1 cup olive oil

1/2 cup sugar

1/3 cup ketchup

1/4 cup vinegar

1 tbsp Worchestershire sauce

1 onion
salt
Mix dressing ingredients in a blender.

Mix salad in a large bowl, add hamburger & dressing. Mix Doritos through salad just before serving.


Jackie

Grandmother Basquins' Boston Brown Bread

Another of Caro Basquin's traditional New England recipes.

1 cup yellow corn meal
1 cup rye meal or flour

1 cup graham flour/whole wheat

1 tsp salt

1 tsp baking soda ( bi carb)


Mix above together thoroughly


1 cup molasses to which one pint hot water has been added. Pour into meal and stir till smooth batter. Put in a greased tin ( a 3 lb. Crisco can is good.)

Cover the tin tightly and steam three hours-adding water as needed.

Margot

Grandma Webber's Plum Pudding

Another of Lillian Webber's traditional English recipes.

2 lbs suet

Separate, remove skin and threads from suet. Cream with hands


2 lbs stale bread crumbs
1 lb sugar
1 lb currants

Mix the currants, sugar, and bread crumbs together.

Cut in pieces and dredge with flour:

2 lbs seeded raisins
2 lbs seedless raisins
1/2 lb citron
1/2 lb lemon peel
1/2 lb orange peel


Combine all of the above ingredients, then add:

2 grated nutmegs,
3 tsp cinnamon,
1-1/3 tsp clove
1-1/3 tsp mace,
6 tsp salt
1 doz beaten eggs
Sufficient grape juice (1 qt?) (or liquor) to moisten and hold together.

Mix thoroughly
(Tradition has it that everyone in the household must stir at least once to insure good luck!)

Put in greased pudding molds-or bowls with lip- either cover with mold tight fitting lids or put a thick layer of flour over the tops and tie down firmly in unbleached muslin for cover.(I used greased coffee cans with muslin lining them)


Steam 6 hours in water on rack just to the top of bowls. Steam another two hours before serving.


This makes a TREMENDOUS amount. Grandma used to count on enough for every holiday through the year and for Christmas gifts. I often made ¼ and had plenty. Also I always made this by Thanksgiving so that it would be ready for Christmas dinner.


To serve: pour warm brandy over pudding and flame! Then serve with favorite hard sauce. Our family’s favorite was simply confectioners sugar, butter, and vanilla mixed well and chilled.

Margot

Italian Sautéed Beans


1 cup roasted red pepper strips (1/4")
5 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped
2 tbsp olive oil
2 cans cannelini beans, washed and drained
1/4 cup white wine
1/2 tsp dried Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp pepper
6 fresh basil leaves

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet. Add the garlic and cook until browned. Add the remaining ingredients and cook 4-5 minutes. Cut the basil leaves into thin strips, then add to the skillet, cook for 1-2 minutes. Serves 6.

Goppie