Thousand Islands Burger

Let's take a vacation to the Caribbean.  Shall we?

Not because you can find a Thousand Islands burger in the tropics, but because the actual Thousand Islands region is currently under attack by an unwelcome Alberta Clipper.  If you don't know what that is, you probably live somewhere warm and you're not wearing nearly as many layers of clothing as I am.  

Despite the cold, the snow and the below-zero wind chill, I'm in a barbeque mood.  I love burgers.  Fat. Thin. Round. Square. Plain. Cheese.  I am an equal opportunity eater.  My only request is that my meal is cooked on a hot grill and not in a buttered-up skillet.  And since I'm pretty sure there is a law in physics that says fire will not burn in the frigid temperatures outside my house, I'm breaking out the electric countertop grill.  Frostbite is no joke.

The secret to this burger is no secret at all.  It is, seriously, right in the name.  Thousand Islands salad dressing.  Heaven in a bottle.  It can be made at home with mayonnaise, ketchup and relish, among other things, but you'll be fine using a store bought shortcut.  Now, I wouldn't necessarily say this is the healthiest topping you could use, but I will admit that the more veggies I pile onto the burger, the better I feel about myself afterward.  And what's better than a burger and a salad?

Well, besides that Caribbean vacation we talked about...

Thousand Islands Burger

Serves 4

1 lb ground beef, divided into four patties

4 slices cheddar cheese

2 cups iceberg lettuce

8 slices of tomato

1/2 cup diced white onion

Dill pickle slices

1/3 cup Thousand Islands salad dressing

4 hamburger buns

For beef, cook the hamburger patties on a grill to individual preference.  Lightly toast the buns.

Spread a thin layer of salad dressing on both top and bottom buns.  Place patty on the bottom bun, then layer the cheese (if you haven't added the cheese during grilling), then 2-3 pickle slices, 2 slices of tomato, lettuce, diced onion and cover with top bun.

I've never tried this with chicken or other ground meat, but I have substituted in a filet of breaded white fish.  Soooooo good!

Hint Hint: If you're thinking about side dish options, Thousand Islands dressing is regionally served as a dipping sauce for french fries.



Listening to:   The Trews - Hope & Ruin