Today is National Hamburger Day! Just in time to celebrate the start of summer this weekend. Nothing smells like summertime like a hamburger on the grill– well maybe the beach, but that’s another topic.
The hamburger has been a staple of the American diet for decades. Almost 50 billion burgers a year are gobbled up by Americans who can’t get enough of the round meat patty stuffed between a toasted bun. It’s been said, that the hamburger originated in Hamburg, Germany, but topped with all the fixin’s as we’ve grown to know it was perfected by America.
In honor of National Hamburger Day and Memorial Day Weekend, why not host a backyard barbecue with some friends and grill up these three unique tasting hamburger recipes created by my personal chef and hubby, Sal Arena — that embrace his Italian heritage and hold the beef!
Hamburger Recipe #1: Antipasti Burger
- 1 Loaf of Focaccia Bread or Pizza Bread
- 1 Chicken Burger (Pre-Made or Make Your Own)
- 3 Slices Provolone Cheese
- 4 Slices Prosciutto
- 3 Slices Tomato (paper thin)
- 1/3 Cup Fresh Arugula
- 1 Tablespoon Fig Spread
- 6-8 Kalamata Olives (sliced thin), if desired
Pre-cook the prosciutto in a skillet for 3 minutes. Make the focaccia bread, follow the directions on package, while you cook the chicken burger on medium heat at 375 degrees for 10-12 minutes. Flip half way through to heat the entire patty. Add cheese to the burger 30 seconds prior removing from flame. Assemble by putting the burger on the focaccia . Season to taste.
Hamburger Recipe #2: “The Feast” Burger
- 1 Italian Roll
- 1 Sausage Burger (Pre-Made or Make Your Own)
- 3 Slices Fresh Mozzarella Cheese
- 1/4 Cup Peppers & Onions
- 1/3 Cup Fresh Spinach
- 3 Tablespoons Arrabbiata Sauce
Cook the sausage burger on medium heat at 375 degrees for 10 minutes. Flip half way through to heat the entire patty. Next hallow out the bun. Toast the bun with sauce on top of bun. Add cheese to the burger 30 seconds prior removing from flame. Assemble by putting the burger on the bun, add the pepper and onion, also the spinach. Season to taste.
Hamburger Recipe #3: Low-Fat Veggie Burger
- 1 Whole Wheat or Multi-Grain Roll
- 1 Veggie Burger (Pre-Made or Make Your Own)
- 3 Slices Swiss Cheese
- 1/3 Cup Shaved Carrot
- 1/3 Cup Shaved Radicchio
- 1/3 Cup Shaved Cucumber
- 1 Tablespoon Mustard (Spicy or Yellow)
Cook the veggie burger on medium heat at 375 degrees for 8 minutes. Flip half way through to heat the entire patty. Next toast the bun and mix the carrots, radicchio and cucumber with the mustard. Assemble by putting the burger on the bun, add the cheese and veggie mix on top. Season to taste.
Let me know if you like these recipes below and what your favorite hamburger topping is! Don’t forget to post your hamburger pictures over on our Facebook page and use #NationalHamburgerDay when posting on social media.
Happy Entertaining,