It’s GAME DAY! Time to plan a meal around the big game…. And the last-minute Christmas shopping. Bring your weekend warriors to the peace table with a grilled burger that scores a TD every time. The secret is a simple, yet flavorful patty that comes from grinding beef brisket. The special sauce elevates the favor of da burger along with lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions and perhaps a sesame seed bun!

Check out my recipe for my Sunday Best Burger to see just what happiness is made from! If you don’t want to grind the beef yourself, ask your butcher to do the grinding for you. Most grocery store meat departments will be happy to do this for no extra charge.

Merry Christmas, everyone. We don’t have long to go now!

Sunday Best Burger

MAKES 8 SERVINGS

Burgers

1 (3-pound) beef brisket

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

6 large garlic cloves, peeled and minced, about 2 tablespoons

1 teaspoon kosher salt

½ teaspoon coarse black pepper

Place the shaft, blade and knife of a food grinder (or food grinder attachment) into the freezer to chill. Cut the brisket into 1-inch pieces. Lay the pieces onto a baking tray with lip and place into the freezer until the meat is firm, but not frozen, about 15 minutes. Remove the meat from the freezer and toss with olive oil. Assemble the meat grinder attachment. Push through 2 to 3 pieces of meat at a time into a bowl. After all of the meat has been through the machine, grind it all a second time.

Season the meat with Worcestershire and garlic. Form into 8 (or more) patties. Refrigerate until you are ready to grill. Just before grilling, season the burgers with salt and pepper.

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Burger Sauce

½ cup mayonnaise

1 tablespoon sweet pick relish

1 tablespoon ketchup

1 tablespoon grated onion

1 teaspoon white wine vinegar

1 teaspoon granulated sugar

½ teaspoon Kosher salt

¼ teaspoon coarse black pepper

            Whisk together all of the ingredients in a small bowl.

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Buns and Toppers

8 large burger buns, sliced

2 tablespoons butter, melted

8 (1-ounce) American cheese slices

2 large tomatoes, sliced

1 large onion, thinly sliced

1 large ripe avocado, peeled and thinly sliced

Dill pickle chips

Heat a grill over medium high heat. Brush the inside of the buns with butter. Grill the burgers on one side for 4 to 5 minutes. Turn and cook on the other side, until desired degree of doneness, about 4 to 5 minutes more for medium rare. Place a slice of cheese onto each burger.

Brush the buns with melted butter and lay onto the grill.  Toast for 30 to 45 seconds. Place the buns onto a platter. Lay the burgers into the buns. Slather with special sauce and offer your favorite toppers, like those suggested above.