Summer and fall – and the long weekends in-between – are ideal times to fire up the grill and bring the family together for some outdoor fun.
Burgers, the quintessential barbecue fare, are among America’s all-time favorite foods. For variety, top them with unconventional fixings, such as avocado slices, arugula, salsa and fresh basil.
For the best taste and optimum freshness, connoisseurs recommend organic ground beef.
“USDA-certified organic ground beef is made from animals that have not been injected with synthetic hormones or antibiotics, and that eat food free of animal byproducts and grown without pesticides,” said Michael Levine, president of Organic Prairie Family of Farms, one of the nation’s leading cooperatives of organic farmers and providers of organic meat.
Here are some burger-making tips from Organic Prairie.
* For best flavor, use 85 percent lean ground beef. If you choose leaner meat, add a splash of tomato juice or Worcestershire sauce to increase flavor and moisture.
* Finely mince any garlic, onions or other vegetables that will be mixed into the meat. Larger chunks will make the...