Seasonally Delicious Burger Night

Grilling season is year round for us, but now that the weather is finally warm the grill is really in full swing. Spring produce is also finally coming up and it is the perfect combination for outdoor cooking.

I love to adapt my meals based on what I find at the farmers market and local food markets. I’ll start with a basic recipe and then get creative! This epic burger falls into that formula, taking advantage of seasonal local ingredients. I encourage you to get adventurous with the seasonal ingredients in your area.

Ideas for spring burger toppings:

• Ramps

• Spring onions

• Mushrooms

• Asparagus

• Spring greens

• Goat cheese

• Sprouts

Here's how I assembled my early-May seasonally inspired burger!

Ingredients:

• Ground beef from a local farm that is now offering home deliveries (I prefer 80/20 or 85/15 ground beef - I find it stays nice and juicy)

• Fresh crusty bread from a local bakery

• Cabot extra sharp cheddar

• Ramps

• Local sriracha

• Dukes Mayo (my favorite!)

Preparation:

Burger patties:

Keep it simple and let the beef shine! I like to season generously with kosher salt and ground black pepper when I mix the meat.

Gently form into patties, being sure to press down and make an indent in the center (helps it from puffing up when grilling).

Toppings:

Choose your toppings!

I like to cut thick slices of Cabot cheddar to melt on top - the sharper the better

For vegetable toppings, coat in oil and sprinkle with kosher salt

Grilling:

Start the burgers first

Add thicker vegetables with the burgers, add more delicate vegetables when you flip the burgers

Add the cheese when the burgers are almost done, letting it melt into a delicious blanket

Grill your bread if you want to add a little extra grill flavor

Assembling:

Spread mayo on both sides of the bread and drizzle sriracha to your desired level of spiciness

On the bottom bread, add the grilled veggies

Add the cheese covered burger and top with the second piece of bread

Serve with a side of pickles, simple salad, or some grilled sweet potatoes

Watch out for the dripping juice!