I wasn't going to cook today, honest. I pulled some of the grill duty Saturday at our machine gun shoot, and I was about grilled out, but at around 3PM I got the urge for a burger. Not a fast food burger, but a real one....
Of course, I had nothing, so I had to go to the store.
I figured, being Memorial Day, why not make it a special burger?
I started with 2 pounds of 80/20 and 2 pounds of 93/7 ground sirloin (Black Angus). To that I added a pack of Lipton's Onion Soup Mix, some minced garlic, cracked black pepper, Cajun seasoning to taste, 4 slices of thick bacon, diced, and my secret ingredient, 4 oz of shredded Cheddar cheese. (trust me on this). I kneaded the burger mixture together, gave it a splash of Worcestershire to wet it a bit more, and let it rest in the fridge.
Then I took a pound of thick sliced center cut bacon, and seasoned it with cracked black pepper and Cajun rub. This also was allowed to set in the fridge.
That being done, I shucked some corn, buttered and seasoned it, and rolled it in foil for roasting.
I pattied the burgers (four pounds; eight burgers..you do the math), and cranked up the grill.
Breaking from the norm, I grilled the bacon...
![[Linked Image from images49.fotki.com]](http://images49.fotki.com/v1500/photos/2/28682/6857620/IMG_1003-vi.jpg)
As you can see I put the corn on as well. 25-30 minutes if your grill is around 450-500.
The bacon crisps up quickly on the grill...watch out for flare ups.
Here's the plate of burgers
![[Linked Image from images47.fotki.com]](http://images47.fotki.com/v1498/photos/2/28682/6857620/IMG_1004-vi.jpg)
The pic didn't really give an idea of the size of the burgers, so I used my mitt next to the plate to add perspective..
![[Linked Image from images50.fotki.com]](http://images50.fotki.com/v1515/photos/2/28682/6857620/IMG_1005-vi.jpg)
Everything's grilling....on the side burner is a pot of maple bacon pork & beans, and I zipped it up by adding some diced Vidalia onion and some of the grilled bacon from earlier.
At this point, I realized cooking a lot of things at once is easier when you have an assistant....I was on my own today, so....I was struggling.
Burgers done, I added some Colby Jack Artisan cheese and left the burgers on the upper rack for the cheese to melt...
![[Linked Image from images50.fotki.com]](http://images50.fotki.com/v1515/photos/2/28682/6857620/IMG_1007-vi.jpg)
The finished product.
Burger with cheese and bacon on a toasted fresh bakery Kaiser roll, sweet potato fries, beans with onion & bacon, and roasted sweet corn with butter.
![[Linked Image from images50.fotki.com]](http://images50.fotki.com/v1512/photos/2/28682/6857620/IMG_1010-vi.jpg)
To carry out the Memorial Day theme, HRA M1 Garand, Lake City M2 Ball, Smith & Wesson M1917 .45acp, Utica Cutlery M1 Bayonet. Beer is Shock Top Belgian Wheat. I figured it was worth a try...it was on sale. Not bad, but I think I like Pyramid better.
Gratuitous food shot..
![[Linked Image from images49.fotki.com]](http://images49.fotki.com/v1501/photos/2/28682/6857620/IMG_1011-vi.jpg)
The bun makes it looks small, but it's actually a very big, thick burger...
![[Linked Image from images49.fotki.com]](http://images49.fotki.com/v1510/photos/2/28682/6857620/IMG_1012-vi.jpg)
The best part about cooking your own food and not cooking for someone else is that you can cook it how *you* want it. None of that "ewww...mine's not well done" crap.
![[Linked Image from images49.fotki.com]](http://images49.fotki.com/v1509/photos/2/28682/6857620/IMG_1015-vi.jpg)
I've got some Carvel ice cream cake in the freezer, but I don't know if I'll be able to eat it....that burger was really, really filling.
Anyway, nothing that special. I was alone and bored and felt like grilling. I'm make something fancy next time.