Mini Bacon Cheeseburger Sliders

Labor Day concludes the end of summer and supermarkets were quickly being emptied of french fries, ground beef and hamburger buns. This recipe accomplished the feat making delicious mini bacon cheeseburger sliders and a side of baked french fries!

Serves 3

Ingredients

• 1 bag of  hamburger buns
• 1/4 cup sesame seeds
• 1/4 stick of butter
• 1 pound ground beef
• a single clove of shallot
• 2 teaspoons coarse salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• Ketchup, mayonnaise or other condiments
• 2 roma tomatoes, thinly sliced
• 1 head lettuce, torn to fit buns
• 1 package American cheese, 12 ounces, thinly sliced and cut to fit buns
• 2 strips of bacon

Directions

1. Use round shaped cookie cutter to make a total of 6 mini buns. Cut around the edges of the cookie cutter for a more precise circle. Thinly slice the excess of the inner, soft crumb of the bread.
   
2. For oven toasting, preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Spread the seseame seeds out on a baking sheet. Bake until the seeds brown and become fragrant. For stovetop toasting, use a wide frying pan. Brush butter over the surface of the hamburger bun; sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds. Bake for 2-4 minutes to warm buns. 
   
3. In bowl, mix ground beef, salt, pepper, and finely chopped shallot. Shape 1/4 ounce at a time into 1 1/2-inch patties. Broil or grill 1 minute per side.
   
4. Top each beef patty with a slice of cheese and cook on grill until cheese melts, 2 to 3 minutes.
5.  At serving time, place beef patty on buns, layer ketchup, tomato, lettuce, mayonnaise and bacon on each bottom half then serve.
   

 

Cilantro Caprese Salad

This is my very own version of a Caprese Salad. Typically, Caprese salads are made with basil, balsamic vinegar, and olive oil, but I didn't have those ingredients laying around the house. You can finely chop the cilantro or cut the stems and use the leafy green part for garnishing and enhanced flavoring.
Serves 3: Tomatoes, Mozzarella Cheese, Cilantro, Salt & Pepper

The sliced tomatoes should be the bottom layer and the mozzarella cheese would be placed on top of that. You can add any amount of the other ingredients depending on your preference. If you want a balance of all the flavors, just sprinkle a little of salt and pepper and drizzle the balsamic vinegar and olive oil. This was such an easy and refreshing appetizer or side dish for summertime. Buon Appetito!