So I found myself wondering as Labor Day approaches: How the heck have I not written about a burger. I mean it seems easy, and it is, but most people do it wrong.

The thing you have to remember about burgers is: they are just smushed meatballs. A lot of people nowadays however don’t mix their meat and they don’t add the binders necessary to have a tender, flavorful burger delight. It’s important to only mix this just enough so as not to make it tough.

Also please never add onions or cheese into the meat because fillings like this make the meat to tough or gritty. It’s also easy to over-top a burger so you can’t taste the meat or cheeses. This formula is a recipe for success adding distinct flavors on every level.  

My burgers use ground sirloin for flavor and ground pork for the much needed fat content so the burger is tender and juicy. The toasted French bun is equally important for a flavor and texture, we get them at Publix.

JFL’s Chef Burger

1 lb ground Sirloin

1 lb ground pork

1 cup breadcrumbs

2 eggs

salt, pepper dash

1 tsp oregano

1 dash red pepper

Toppings

French hamburger bun with butter toasted

Feta

Marinated red onions

Pickles

Deli mustard

Combine in a large bowl and gently mix with your hands until homogenous. Since I rarely grill, I cook mine in a hot skillet over medium heat about 5 minutes a side until just cooked through because of the pork. Never press the burgers down during cooking this releases all the juiciness and flavor and wastes it. Place on a toasted buttered french hamburger bun and top with marinated red onions, feta cheese, deli mustard and pickles.

Marinated red onions

½ red onion slices thin

2 cups red wine vinegar

Salt and pepper

Combine in a sealed dish and let marinate at least 30 minutes before using.

Of course you need a side for any grill out. This slaw is spicy and super. Plus it makes a great topping for burgers and dogs. Way better than lettuce.

Hot Mustard Coleslaw

10 oz shredded cabbage

5 oz shredded carrots

2 tbsp Chinese hot mustard

1 cups sour cream

¾ cup apple cider vinegar

1 small bell pepper thinly sliced

½ red onion sliced thin

Salt and pepper to taste

Combine ingredients in a large bowl and fold with a rubber spatula until homogenous.

Labor Day cannot pass without some adult libations. And with the first weekend of football arriving, it’s more than a must for many folks. Check out this tart, sweet, gin treat and look for more ideas at

ratedrcocktails.wordpress.com

Long Afternoon

3 oz Gin

2 oz Cantaloupe Juice

1 oz fresh lemon Juice

1 oz Simple Syrup

4 dashes Orange Bitters

Shake together with ice and strain into chilled stemmed glasses. Serves two or one big glass.

Have a safe and fun filled Labor Day weekend! And make sure your parties end well: never drink and drive.

Joey Schmidt,or ‘JFL,’ is a Certified Sommelier, Birmingham Bar Menu Consultant, and local Culinary Graduate. He is also the Head Mixologist for Rated R Cocktails, which updates weekly with drink recipes and news. Look for Rated R Cocktails on Twitter, Facebook, and the Internet.