Beef Burgers with Apricot/ Pistachio Chutney

CELEBRATING CANADA DAY!

Food and drink are almost as synonymous with Canada Day as the colors of red and white. More importantly this date celebrates the historical event in which Canada gained its independence from Great Britain in 1867.

On July 1st, from coast to coast, the country’s birthday is highlighted with colorful parades, concerts, carnivals, festivals and firework displays.

Barbecues are definitely the preferred choice of food event as summer entertaining is all about laid-back get together’s. Easy food prep is the name of the game!

For our Canada Day barbecue, it had to be special so here’s what developed—

Print Recipe
Beef Burgers with Apricot/ Pistachio Chutney
Votes: 1
Rating: 5
You:
Rate this recipe!
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings
Votes: 1
Rating: 5
You:
Rate this recipe!
Instructions
Chutney
  1. In a skillet, saute shallots without browning. Add apricots, honey & apricot nectar. Simmer until liquid has evaporated. Set aside to cool at room temperature, then stir in the pistachios & a dash of vinegar. Refrigerate.
Burgers
  1. In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients for the burgers. Shape into 4 patties & refrigerate.
  2. Preheat the barbecue to high & when the grill is hot, place patties on the grill & sear on both sides, making sure not to turn them too soon. When burgers are well marked & can be lifted off the grill easily, remove them to another part of the barbecue where the heat has been reduced & let them finish cooking undisturbed.
  3. While burgers are finishing, brush mushroom caps with oil & grill on both sides until done. Set them aside. Turn off one of the burners, place the burgers on that part of the grill & top each with a slice of cheese. Close the lid for a few minutes & cook over indirect heat until cheese is melted.
  4. Serve on warmed or toasted ciabatta buns. Top each burger with a mushroom cap, a generous spoonful of chutney & some cucumber slices.

Mediterranean Portobello Mushroom Caps

Can you believe it …. July 5th already! I guess we better be making the most of those barbecue days with simple, no-fuss meals. I can’t resist featuring another recipe using those wonderful portobello mushrooms. 

The best way to cook these beauties is to grill or roast. This type of cooking really brings out the meaty texture because they lose their moisture and get dry as well as the flavor becoming more concentrated. Portobellos are also large enough that they can sit on a grill and not fall through the grates.

I find the versatility of the portobello mushroom is endless. They have a rich, meaty texture and flavor which is retained even after cooking. You can use them in soups, stews, baked pasta, rice dishes or as a meat substitute in salads. Portobellos are excellent paired with fresh herbs, cheese, tomato or cream based sauces, leafy greens, garlic and onions.

This recipe has been one of my summer favorites for many years. It’s definitely a ‘keeper’ if your a mushroom lover.


Print Recipe


Mediterranean Portobello Mushroom Caps

An incredibly simple, no-fuss meal!

Votes: 1
Rating: 5
You:
Rate this recipe!

Course Lunch, Main Dish
Cuisine American

Servings

Votes: 1
Rating: 5
You:
Rate this recipe!


Instructions
  1. Lightly oil grill& preheat barbecue to medium- high. Place mushrooms, cap side down, on a cutting board. Layer spinach, bruschetta & cheese on mushrooms.

  2. Grill mushrooms, with lid closed, until cheese is melted, 2-5 minutes. Serve on toasted ciabatta buns; garnished with fresh basil strips.


Recipe Notes
  • This recipe & picture were featured in a Sobey's Grocery Store flyer a number of years ago. We have enjoyed these mushrooms many times so I decided it was a good recipe to share. I have also used their picture instead of my own as it gave such as nice presentation I thought.