Hamburgers w/ apple & cucumber pieces

This is a new recipe we tried out this last weekend while grilling with the children at our home. I never conceived that it would come out this tasty but Im sure you will enjoy.Feel free to tweak it as you desire.

3lb of Ground beef [we prefer the 90% lean]

Apple, cut 1/2 into small pieces

Cucumber , cut 1/2 into small pieces

Basil, a full bunch [just like you get in the produce section. Cut into small slivers ]

You will add all the above ingredients into the ground beef [just in case you didn't realize it, I like taste and flavors,lol].

Then in a processor you will add the following until it becomes liquid:
~ Mojo, about three large spoonfuls [this is a primarily cuban seasoning sauce]
~ Apple, half a full one
~ Red onion, half a full one
~Parsley, half a bunch
~Olive oil , two spoonfuls
~Chives, two full pieces
~Ground Oregano, three spoonfuls
~Garlic, four spoonfuls
~Adobo, [a Caribbean seasoning] four spoonfuls
~Lemon. 1/2 of juice
~Cumin, three spoonfuls
~Paprika. one spoonful
~Mustard, I used regular and added about two teaspoons
~Celery salt, two spoonfuls
~Kosher salt, one spoonful
~White Pepper, three spoonfuls


One egg to hold them together.

Make them into small balls and with your hands gently press until it forms a patty of your liking [ remember the larger the patty the harder to cook]





We took a tray and once completed put it in the freezer so it would be more manageable [about 5 to 10 minutes] while we made the next tray, once finished we took out the first one and started grilling it. This is what they look like.





I know apples and cucumber sounds a bit off but the acidity in the apples tenderrizes it and gives it a nice subtle taste and cucumbers frequently used in Greek cuisine to name one of a few cultures that use it regularly.

This is how wonderful they looked while grilling.




The finish product.




We add cheese while it is still on the grill so it melts better but completely optional.




Because I can not have soy [or must minimize my intake due to my hypothyrodisim] I did not have any of the bread which had soy products in it. Instead I opted for a large piece of iceberg lettuce and wraped it around my burger after adding some blue chese dressing on top of the burger.





My children and husband stacked it with all the ingredients they like.




Everyone enjoyed it very much and it had the perfect amount of flavor. I am not very good at measuring so adjust for your taste [ I promise to be better as time goes by to measure more accurately,haha.but for now I have to catch up on the recipes I already have on file and then start anew,lol.] . This is a wonderful summer meal and very filling.

Buy locally, enjoy with love ones and make memories.