So many of the summer days and nights of my childhood were spent in a neighborhood backyard. My mom was the “Kool-Aid” mom, meaning all the kids pretty much hung out at our house. We had the inflatable pool and the popsicles. The days were filled with water fights, flagging down the ice cream truck, and sipping frosty bottles of Orange Crush. To us kids, all of these were important rituals of summer, yet none as much as the backyard barbecues. They were always spontaneous, which made them feel like an unexpected present. Further, the day of the week never mattered because summer was a time to celebrate.
In our fast-paced lives, it’s easy to get wrapped up in daily routines. The summer months are an ideal time to reevaluate. Why not look over that lengthy to-do list with a fresh perspective? Asking ourselves, if some of those items will wait for us if we press the pause button for a breather. Our suggestion is that you take some cues from the spontaneous “backyard barbecue” of my childhood, and knock on your neighbor’s door!
Our Vintage Backyard Barbecue
In deference to tradition, the group contributes whatever cookout-worthy fare they like. As a kid, I always looked forward to each neighbor’s specialty. Sometimes, it was old-school homemade potato salad, Mrs. McNerney’s brown sugar-laden baked beans, or Grandma Clarke’s frosted, chocolate brownies. With the ease that spontaneity provides, the simple delicacies were loaded into picnic baskets, or on occasion a Radio Flyer wagon borrowed from the kids.
Moving forward, after a few conversations across fences (and texts), our barbecue was in the works. So, Tess and I decided this was a perfect time to grill our juicy jalapeno burgers and the first Ohio sweet corn of the season. Refreshingly, the rest of the prep was a breeze. We got busy icing the cooler, setting out the folding table, reusable melamine “paper” plates from Food52, and vintage checked napkins. With chilled glasses of rose’ in hand, a summer playlist was cued up, and then it was time to relax.
In no time, our resourceful neighbors arrived bearing all manner of backyard-friendly fare. Bringing cucumber margaritas, watermelon and arugula salad, roasted rosemary and sage potatoes, cherry cheesecake, and water balloons. Our burgers couldn’t have asked for better companions. We felt the same!
So, head out to the backyard, it’s mid-July! If not now, when?
Jalapeño Cheddar Burgers
Ingredients
- 2 lb grass fed ground beef
- 2/3 cup red onion, diced finely
- 4 jalapeño peppers, diced finely
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 3 tbsp dijon mustard
- 4 tbsp Worcestershire sauce (generous)
- Borsari original blend seasoning
- 1 tsp kosher salt
Instructions
- Combine all of the ingredients in a large bowl . Divide into patties and let rest for 10 minutes. Sprinkle with Borsari seasoning. Cook burgers on a hot grill for 5-6 minutes per side or until cooked through.
- Serve on your favorite gluten-free bun.
