Summer Grillin'

Thank goodness for grills. It makes planning meals during summer so much easier. James and I use the grill probably 2-3 times a week during the summer/fall months. I love trying new marinades and recipes and he is a pro on the grill. Here are two of our favorite burger recipes this summer:

Apple Bacon Burgers

Ingredients:

1/2 lb. bulk Italian sausage

1/2 lb ground beef

2 small green apples

2 Tbsp. mayonnaise

1 Tbsp. Dijon-style mustard

1 tsp. honey

4 Kaiser rolls, split and toasted

6 slices bacon (crisp-cooked)

Directions:

Cook bacon until crisp. Drain on paper toweling.

Core and finely chop one of the apples; combine in a large mixing bowl with beef and sausage. Shape into 4, 1/2-inch thick patties. Grill directly over medium-high heat for 4 to 5 minutes per side or until no pink remains. Meanwhile in a small bowl combine mayonnaise, mustard, and honey. Core and slice remaining apple. To assemble the burgers, layer apple slices and grilled burgers on the toasted bun bottoms. Top each with one and a half slices bacon. Spread a generous layer of the mayonnaise mixture on the cut side of bun tops before placing atop burgers. Makes 4 servings.

recipe and picture source: Better Homes and Gardens

Terrific Teriyaki Burgers

Ingredients:

1/4 cup ketchup

2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce

1 tablespoon brown sugar

1 tablespoon unsweetened crushed pineapple

1-1/2 teaspoons minced fresh gingerroot

1 garlic clove, minced

1/2 teaspoon sesame oil

1 egg white, lightly beaten

1/3 cup dry bread crumbs

3 green onions, chopped

2 tablespoons unsweetened crushed pineapple

3/4 pound ground beef

3/4 pound lean ground turkey

6 slices unsweetened pineapple

6 hamburger buns, split and toasted

6 lettuce leaves

6 slices tomato

Directions

In a small bowl, combine the ketchup, soy sauce, brown sugar, pineapple, ginger, garlic and sesame oil; set aside. In a large bowl, combine the egg white, bread crumbs, onions, crushed pineapple and 3 tablespoons reserved ketchup mixture. Crumble beef and turkey over mixture and mix well. Shape into six burgers. Grill burgers, covered, over medium heat or broil 4 in. from the heat for 5-7 minutes on each side or until a meat thermometer reads 165° and juices run clear, brushing occasionally with remaining ketchup mixture. Grill or broil pineapple slices for 2-3 minutes on each side or until heated through. Serve burgers and pineapple on buns with lettuce and tomato. Yield: 6 servings.

recipe and picture source: Taste of Home

I Love Friday

Where have I been? I'm not really sure. It's amazing how sometimes I feel like I just updated my blog...then I go check and it's been more than a week! And I know I skipped an I Love Friday. But hey, I made it to four weeks! Instead of committing to every week, I'm going to use Fridays as an excuse to showcase things I like when I think of it. Takes the pressure off. (I know, it's wimpy, but life's busy.)

I actually wasn't even planning on posting tonight, but my hubby's taking a post-dinner nap and I thought this might be a good time. This week's I Love Friday features clothing with ruffles, bows, and other pretty things. Click the picture for buying info.

Sale!

If you've checked my Etsy shop lately you've probably noticed the emptiness. It kills me to have so few listings. But it brings a much needed break. I've been buried up to my ears in custom work, and I finally dug myself out earlier this week. Yep, I'm all caught up! I'm not complaining about how busy the first part of the summer has been. Since launching the custom order option I've been catapulted from the red to black in my books. Just 8 short months after launching the business! Thank you, THANK YOU! I couldn't be more grateful to everyone who has ordered.  Be sure to check the S A L E section of the shop...it's been freshly stocked!

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade lynndavid.etsy.com

This week I've comitted to not sewing a single stitch. A vacation of sorts. My house needs attention. My hubby needs attention. And I'd imagine my poor sewing machine needs some TLC. So that's what I'm doing this week. Next week I plan on dealing with the ridiculous mound - make that mounds - of fabric I have. I think I'll have a destash sale. Make grab bags of fabric available at a discount. I've got some plans for other projects. So we'll see what happens. After I've destashed I've got big ideas for this company. But first I need to do a lot of brainstorming. We'll talk more about that later.

So the bottom line is that I'm now on a custom order hiatus. (Unless, of course, you have a gift certificate or are a contest winner...I'm very much looking forward to working with you!) Thanks for understanding and I'm looking forward to what the future has in store!



*Oh, and to all my Google Reader friends out there, my apologies for the double I Love Friday post last week!*