Chili Hamburgers

Time to change gears and talk about something fun. We have some great recipes to share enjoy this for your next cookout! This recipe comes from the book “Once-A-Month Cooking” by Mimi Wilson and Mary Beth Lagerborg. Dena Lenham used this book during her days of commuting 1 1/2 hours each way to work.

Have you heard of this technique: cooking all day, once a month, assembling and freezing meals that will last you all month? Sounds daunting, sounds like women that are way too organized. Sounds good, actually.

This book is subtitled, “A proven system for spending less time in the kitchen and enjoying delicious, homemade meals everyday.” I was skeptical until I tried it, but it truly saves my family time during the weekday, when meals are often fast food or less nutritious. The ingredients are all fresh, not processed, and thus healthy, and the meals don’t taste any less delicious because they’ve been frozen.

This book is a great way to try the technique. They offer a two-week plan if cooking for a whole month intimidates you. I suggest following their lists and schedule step-by-step for the basic two-week menu plan, and you’ll discover how this method works. Try it; let me know what you think. I have enjoyed having meals on hand for sick neighbors, unscheduled company, and weekday rushes. Your cooking day is a long day, sometimes 7 or 8 hours, but it is worth it.

You can make the patties from this recipe and freeze them right along with the buns to store for a later meal. Just thaw and grill when you’re ready.

• 1 pound lean ground beef or turkey
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped green bell pepper
• 1 tablespoon minced onion
• 1-tablespoon chili powder
• 1-tablespoon chili sauce
• 1/4-teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2-teaspoon salt
• 4 hamburger buns

Thoroughly mix all ingredients except hamburger buns. Shape into 4 hamburger patties. Grill to desired pinkness and serve on hamburger buns.