Meatloaf Burgers with Grilled Corn

Oh, I have so much to say about this fabulous, not-your-usual-hamburger recipe. First of all, the burger itself is made of a scrumptious meatloaf mix, including fabulous stuff like chopped Vidalia onion, Worcestershire sauce, garlic and mustard, just to name a few. Second, the burger is topped with both bacon (yes!!!) and a fruit-nut cheese that you will have to stop yourself from completely devouring on crackers before the burgers are even ready. Think of this as a very, very special bacon cheeseburger.

OK, let's start with the cheese. (and by the way, the whole devouring on a cracker thing? Guilty. My best advice is, make extra.) First, toss some cream cheese in a bowl. I used the whipped variety, but you can use the regular version too, just make sure you leave it out to soften first.

Add some shredded cheddar. (Cheese on cheese. Mmmmmmmm....)

Some chopped pecans (or really, any other kind of chopped nut you have around. Clean out those pantry shelves.)

Dried cranberries. I'm betting raisins would be just fine in here as well.)

A little chopped sweet onion...

And some fresh parsley. Mix mix mix.

Tempting, right??? Make sure you hold some back for the burgers.

Next, let's discuss the corn. Every time I cook corn on the grill, I ask myself why on earth I ever go to the trouble of hauling out a giant pot of water to cook it on the stove. If you are going to have the grill on anyway, it is super-easy to grill the corn alongside anything else you are making. All you do is toss the un-husked corn on the medium hot grill for about 20 minutes. Some folks like to soak the corn in water for a little while first (I guess to lessen the chances that the husks will catch fire) -- personally, I just put the corn right on the grill with no preparation at all. The husks will get a charred look, but the corn inside will be sweet and tender.

So now you have your meatloaf burgers, your delicious cheese topping and your grilled corn. And probably a crowd of people around you who can't wait for supper to make it to the picnic table. Barbecue dinner extraordinaire. I love summer!!

Meatloaf Burgers with Grilled Corn, adapted from Taste of the South

Cheese Spread ingredients

• 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
• 1/3 cup finely chopped pecans
• 1/4 cup minced Vidalia onion
• 1/4 cup dried cranberries, chopped
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon ground paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Burger ingredients

• 1 cup minced Vidalia onion
• 1/4 cup minced green bell pepper
• 1/4 cup minced red bell pepper
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 cup dry bread crumbs
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon steak sauce
• 1 teaspoon dry mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon ground paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 pound ground beef chuck
• 1/2 pound ground pork sausage
• 12 slices cooked bacon
• 1 recipe fruit and nut cheese
• 6 hamburger buns, toasted
• 6 slices tomato, optional
• 6 green lettuce leaves, optional
• Dijon mustard, optional

• 6 ears corn

1. In a medium bowl, combine cream cheese, Cheddar, pecans, onion, cranberries, parsley, Worcestershire, paprika, and salt, mixing to blend. Refrigerate until ready to use.
2. Spray a large nonstick skillet with cooking spray, and heat over medium-high heat. Add onion and bell peppers. Cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables soften, approximately 3 minutes. Add garlic, and stir for 1 minute. Transfer vegetables to a large bowl, and let cool completely.
3. Add bread crumbs, egg, ketchup, Worcestershire, steak sauce, dry mustard, paprika, salt, and pepper to vegetable mixture, mixing well. Add ground beef and sausage, mixing until just combined. Shape mixture into 6 patties, and place on a baking sheet. Cover, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
4. Preheat a grill to medium-high heat.
   
5. Grill corn with husks on for 20 minutes. When they have been on for ten minutes, add the burgers so everything is done at the same time.
   
6. Grill burgers, turning once, just until they feel firm when pressed in the centers (meat should bounce back), approximately 5 minutes per side. Remove from heat, and immediately top each burger with two slices bacon and desired amount of Fruit-and-Nut Cheese. Serve on buns, with tomato, lettuce, and Dijon mustard, and grilled corn on the side.

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