For the love of a hamburger!

 At our house in the summer, and actually year-round because we are in Texas, the grill is a go-to for any type of cooking. You name it, and we have tried to grill it.

One of our favorites is definitely the hamburger. Can anyone deny that a big juicy homemade hamburger is a staple of summertime? Even with 15th day in a row over 100 degrees I still feel like sweating it out over the grill for a hamburger. A hamburger to me is a blank canvas with a multitude of possibilities, almost as an actual blank canvas would be to an artist.

Choose the meat (portobello's are just as delicious), toppings, bread style, and condiments that you like and you have a delicious burger.

I was sent a link to a top 10 list on how to make a better burger and I cannot let keep it to myself. At the 'A hamburger today' tab of the 'serious eats' website, they have everything one would ever need to know about where to get a burger, different types of burgers, and even a 'Burger Lab' on how to build your own better burger.

A summary of their top 10 steps to a better burger from Seriouseats.com:

1. Grind Your Own Beef
2. Keep Everything Really Cold
3. Weigh and Size Your Patties
4. Use a Thermometer
5. Season Liberally
6. Do Not Salt Beef Until Patties Are Formed
7. Flip Your Burger as Often as You'd Like
8. Don't Futz With Your Meat
9. Choose Your Bun Wisely
10. Don't Let Anyone Tell You What to Put on It

Check it out and may your next burger be juicier, tastier, and better than the last!

 Pictures also from seriouseats.com

Tips for your kitchen - Trash Bowl

One of the best tools I have found for my kitchen is a big, cheap, plastic bowl. I set it next to my cutting board, and use it like a trash can on the counter, instead of going back and forth to the big trash can when I am chopping. This 'Trash Bowl' allows me to make only one trip to the trash can instead of 50 and it saves me a ton of time and energy.

I have to admit I got this idea from Rachael Ray along with some others. Stay tuned for some more tips for your kitchen. Try it out and let me know if it works for you!