Birthday parties can be such fun. This is especially true during
the summer when family and friends gather together to celebrate
with a barbecue. When discussing plans for an aunt’s birthday this
upcoming weekend, my mother wanted to keep it simple. Hamburgers
and hot dogs will be the main course. Since I am involved with the
planning, things would have a little twist.
Birthday parties can be such fun. This is especially true during the summer when family and friends gather together to celebrate with a barbecue. When discussing plans for an aunt’s birthday this upcoming weekend, my mother wanted to keep it simple. Hamburgers and hot dogs will be the main course. Since I am involved with the planning, things would have a little twist.
If you read the columns where I have discussed hamburgers and hot dogs, you already know that I avoid the subject a little. Usually, there isn’t anything too special about the two meats and anyone can talk about how to cook them. This time around, I made an exception since the service we are employing will be much different and very fun.
The hamburgers and hot dogs will be grilled as usual and served immediately to keep them hot. However, a condiment bar will allow choices for building your hamburger or hot dog. This method of assembly will make the barbecue truly special. Your guests are allowed to make their own creations, which will range from the gourmet to simple.
Instead of a plain bun, mayonnaise, yellow mustard, catsup, one cheese selection, lettuce, tomatoes and onions, mix it up with a little variety. Alongside some of these, serve another choice for bread, consider the addition of brown mustard and have a second or third choice of cheese. Serve mixed salad greens instead of plain lettuce.
In addition, you may also choose to offer salsa or 1000 Island dressing as a spread and sauce choice, as well as pickles, peppers and avocados. Other items, such as sauerkraut and sauteed mushrooms, will also add to the fun of building a unique hamburger or hot dog.
The items for your condiment bar are only limited by your specific tastes and your budget. The larger the crowd, the more items you may offer. You might consider printing out tent cards with a few suggested combinations for building a unique hamburger or hot dog. Regardless of the variety of items you choose to serve, an extensive condiment bar will make a simple barbecue of hamburgers and hot dogs an extraordinary event to remember.
This week, I included a few suggestions for hamburger and hot dog combinations. They aren’t actual recipes, as you may choose to add as little or much of an ingredient. If you choose, you may add mustard or catsup or any other condiment to the suggested combinations. However, I must warn that some of your favorite condiments may not work as well on some of these combinations.
The Cobb Style Hamburger is inspired by the classic salad. My favorite part of this hamburger is the bleu cheese. The Greek Style Hamburger is inspired by a few Mediterranean favorites. The key to this hamburger is the combination of feta cheese, pepperoncini and a touch of honey mustard.
Messy hot dogs can be fun to eat and the Ultimate Chili Hot Dog is no different. The cheddar cheese, sauteed onions and, of course, the chili dresses up a simple hot dog into something that you can splurge on. The Chicago Style Hot Dog is an acceptable version of the one that has become an institution. The abundance of produce and pickles may seem a little strange on a hot dog at first, but it is a worthy combination many people will fall in love with.
Cobb Style Burger
(From: Mitch Mariani)
Grilled Hamburger
Onion Roll
Mayonnaise
Bleu Cheese
Mixed Salad Greens
Tomato
Avocado
Bacon
Greek Style Burger
(From: Mitch Mariani)
Grilled Hamburger
Sesame Bun
Mayonnaise
Honey Mustard
Feta Cheese
Lettuce
Tomato
Onion
Pepperoncini
Ultimate Chili
Hot Dog
(From: Mitch Mariani)
Grilled Hot Dog
Plain Bun
Mustard
Catsup
Cheddar Cheese
Chili
Sauteed Onions
Chicago Style
Hot Dog
(From: Mitch Mariani)
Grilled Hot Dog
Sesame Bun
Yellow Mustard
Relish
Tomato
Onion
Pickles
Pepperoncini
