Burgers And Buns For Your Barbecue

We need barbecues right now. There's something about grilling burgers and then putting them and all the fixings on them that's soothing. Patties on buns are the ultimate comfort food. Now there's a new cookbook that's all about the marriage of bun and burger. It's the perfect book for these times.

The appropriately named Gregory Berger wrote Buns & Burgers : Handcrafted Burgers From Top To Bottom (Mango Press 2020). This book has everything in it, from how Mr. Berger got into bread baking, which won him prizes at state fairs to vegan choices.The book starts with the chapter titled Tools which basically explains ingredients and equipment. The last is mostly for bun baking. He also has a page of tips for baking which is a boon for beginner bread makers.What is interesting is the Buy Versus Make page. Should you buy or make fillers such as ketchup - no - or mayo - if you want.He does give an easy pickle recipe that could be served at any barbecue or beach picnic. He also gives a recipe for Dijon style mustard. Mr. Berger also recommends going to the local butcher for meat instead of the grocery store and local farm for fresh, organic veggies.He is also a big advocate of bread being made without preservatives which are what his recipes are. The book starts off with simple recipes to more advanced ones. However you can mix the buns with the different burgers.There's also a fun ice cream burger at the end for a sweet dessert served on homemade mini cinnamon buns.

I love this book. There are so many non-vegan and vegan recipes. Beginner bakers and novice chefs can  start off with simple sesame milk buns and the classic burger to Greek pita bread and English muffins encasing Greek burgers and breakfast for dinner patties. There are some unusual ones too, sure to be the highlight of any backyard get together. Try black charcoal buns made with activated charcoal that  you can buy online at Amazon. The burgers topping them are rather unusual too.Cod flavored with basil and pine nuts, with the patties being topped with avocado, sweet pickle remoulade - the recipe is also in the book and mango slices. There is a recipe for soft pretzel buns that will be topped with a homemade nacho cheese burger. Mr. Berger also includes pickle jalapenos and a nacho cheese sauce made with smoked paprika! There are vegan burgers too. One is made from plantains, forbidden or black rice and sweet potatoes. It give it a Latin American vibe  as it's served on honey corn bread buns.nThere are also white bean and pea shoot ones along quinoa  with bean and corn burgers. The last is served on a sweet topped Dutch crunch bun. For those who love waffle burgers Mr. Berger has those too for a really different take on this classic sandwich.

Buns I Burgers :Handcrafted Burgers From Top To Bottom is a great book for these unsettling times. Make the ultimate comfort food, a hamburger om a bun, whether for lunch, dinner or even dessert! They're tasty and different, fun and soothing!