One of our first recipes on What the “Forks” for Dinner? was Hamburger Soup. It has been one of our most popular recipes and it is Tim and I’s personal favorite.
Our picture taking skills were less than great when we first started, so we are happy to repost the recipe with new and improved pictures. You can read the original post Hamburger Soup by clicking the link.
Please enjoy our update and try the Hamburger Soup……… we are sure it will be your new favorite!!
Heat a large soup pot over medium-high heat, and crumble in the ground beef. Cook and stir until the beef is evenly browned and no longer pink about 10 minutes.
Stir in the onion, carrots, celery, and barley. Pour in diced tomatoes, beef stock, and ketchup. Season with bay leaf, parsley, garlic pepper, thyme, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and cover; simmer for 2 hours, stirring frequently. Remove bay leaf before serving.
Chili ………congers up images of winter, football, and Sunday!
I was going to stun you with my incredible chili knowledge…….you know the history of chili……..yada…..yada……yada. Well, it seems there is quite a controversy as to the origins of chili so, if you are really all that interested, you will have to google it. By the time I wrote all of it down and you read it ……..holy moly.
So, instead, I will amaze you with this Sweet and Spicy Chili. First, let me say that chili is Tim’s thing. There are a few items in the food world that for some reason are beyond my scope…….for reasons unknown………chili is one of them.
As we were planning our next recipe Tim suggested chili. I tried to steer the planning anywhere but there, but he kept coming back to it. The next words out of his mouth were music to my ears…… “I’ll make my chili”……..done!
Only one problem……….he had never written it down into a recipe. So, as he added ingredients I wrote them down. Now let me say that we always have the same spice conversation……
Tim: “ It needs more spice” Marty :“ Tim, not everyone likes that much spice” Tim: “Just a little bit more” Marty: “ No, its fine”…….and then he adds more.
Turns out, in this recipe he was totally right! It was not too spicy……. it was perfect. Chili powder, cumin, red pepper flakes, and two things I have not had in chili before…….cocoa powder and cinnamon.
I had a big ????? with the cocoa and the cinnamon. They are that in the background taste, you can’t quite pick them out, but they make the dish. We also added brown sugar and salsa…….that added that some’m..some’m………and it all came together perfectly.
Just spicy enough, with a touch of sweet. We did not add any toppings to ours but feel free to add whatever you like……. we ate ours with biscuits…….or as Tim calls them skits.
However you top it or whatever you eat with it, Sweet and Spicy Chili will warm you up, make your favorite team win, and let you have a super Sunday.
It makes a small batch, it will serve 4-6, and if its just for two you can have it again and you know how it goes with chili …….even better the next day!
In a large pot over medium heat, brown ground beef, onion, and garlic. Meanwhile mix together brown sugar, chili powder, cocoa powder, cumin, cinnamon, salt, pepper and red pepper flakes in a small bowl. Add to the browning meat mixture. Cook for 2-3 minutes to let the spices release their flavor. Add remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 30-45 minutes. Serve with shredded cheese or your favorite chili topper.
The 4th of July weekend brings with it camping, picnics, get togethers, fireworks and food. Speaking of fireworks, how about a firecracker of a burger……. our Cilantro-Sriracha Burgers.
Tim has a taste for the spicy, and Sriracha is one of his favorites. So, why not a burger with Sriracha???………no reason not too. This creation is all Tim……he told me what he wanted in a burger, and I added it in. Now, I must admit I wasn’t too sure about some of the ingredients, they all are strong flavors, but the result was amazing. The burger was spicy to be sure, not only is there Sriracha, but also jalapeño, cumin, onion, coriander, garlic, and cilantro. Now, the spicy was not that breathing fire, oh my God get me a glass of water spicy, it was more a I can breathe a little better now, tingle to your taste buds!
For condiments, an extra layer of spice with some sriracha mayo. You can adjust the spice in the mayo to your taste. I kept mine to the less spicy side, but for those of you who like it hot…..add all you want!
Top the burger with some cool toppings…….lettuce, tomato, onion, and avocado. The avocado was my addition. Tim is not as big a fan of them as I am, but they lent a cool creaminess that I really liked. But as with any burger, add the condiments you enjoy.
So, the next time a spicy burger is in order try the Cilantro-Sriracha Burgers, its fireworks for your tastebuds!
1/4 cup mayonnaise 1-2 teaspoons sriracha, or to taste
Garnish:
avocado ,tomato, lettuce ,onion, Sriracha Mayo
Instructions
Preheat the grill to medium heat. (you can also cook indoors on grill pan or in a skillet)
In a large bowl, combine the beef, cilantro, jalapeño, red onion, sriracha, garlic, cumin, coriander, salt and pepper. Form into 2-4 patties. (we make large burgers)
Make the Sriracha Mayo by combining the mayonnaise and sriracha in a small bowl until combined.
Cook the burgers over medium heat,to desired doneness. Top with pepper jack cheese during last few minutes to melt the cheese. Serve burger on toasted bun with Sriracha mayo, and desired condiments.
