Mom's Favorite Olive Burgers
When she was in her 80s, my mom would reminisce about olive burgers at Coney Island. I used her instructions to make one and ended up pleasing both of us.
When she was in her 80s, my mom would reminisce about olive burgers at Coney Island. I used her instructions to make one and ended up pleasing both of us.
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
- 1/2 cup sliced green olives with pimientos drained
- 1/4 cup miracle whip
- 1 tablespoon stone-ground mustard
- 4 hamburger buns toasted
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese optional
- bibb lettuce leaves optional
- Carbohydrate 40.3842651154165 g
- Cholesterol 100.04023415327 mg
- Fat 29.8204536934105 g
- Fiber 1.66287774644827 g
- Protein 30.6619539257557 g
- Saturated Fat 11.3238415343252 g
- Serving Size 1 1 servings. (218g)
- Sodium 796.624176019441 mg
- Sugar 38.7213873689682 g
- Trans Fat 5.7784696071891 g
- Calories 558 calories
Step-by-step
- In a large bowl, combine beef, soy sauce, Worcestershire, garlic powder and onion powder, mixing lightly but thoroughly.
- Shape into four 1/2-in.-thick patties, indenting the center slightly.
- Melt butter in a large nonstick skillet; cook burgers over medium heat until a thermometer reads 160 degrees, 4-6 minutes on each side.
- Meanwhile, in a small bowl combine olives, Miracle Whip and mustard.
- Serve burgers on buns with olive mixture.
- If desired, top with feta cheese and lettuce.
Mom's Favorite Olive Burgers: A Taste of Nostalgia
The aroma of sizzling burgers always takes me back to my childhood. Sundays were burger days at our house, a tradition my mom religiously upheld. But one burger recipe stands out above the rest: her iconic Olive Burgers. These weren't your average fast-food burgers; they were a culinary journey back to Coney Island, a place she often reminisced about during her later years.
My mom, in her 80s, would regale us with stories of her youth, her voice filled with a wistful nostalgia as she described the juicy, flavorful olive burgers she enjoyed at Coney Island. The vivid descriptions of the salty olives, the creamy Miracle Whip, and the perfectly seasoned beef would leave us all yearning for a taste of this legendary burger. It wasn't just a burger; it was a trip down memory lane. So, armed with her faded recipe card, and fueled by our collective longing, I set out to recreate this family favorite.
The recipe itself is deceptively simple. The secret, I believe, lies in the balance of flavors. The savory ground beef, enhanced by the subtle notes of soy sauce and Worcestershire, provides a robust base. The garlic and onion powders add a gentle pungency, complementing the richness of the meat. And then there’s the star of the show: the olive mixture. Sliced green olives with pimientos, Miracle Whip, and stone-ground mustard create a tangy, slightly sweet, and incredibly addictive topping that perfectly balances the heartiness of the burger.
The process of making these burgers is incredibly straightforward, even for a beginner cook. First, you’ll gently combine the ground beef with the seasonings. There's no need to overmix; a gentle blend ensures the burgers remain juicy and tender. Next, form the patties, creating a slight indentation in the center to prevent them from bulging during cooking. Melting butter in a skillet adds a lovely richness to the burgers, ensuring a perfectly browned crust. Then comes the crucial step of perfectly cooking the burgers – each side should be cooked until a thermometer registers 160 degrees. Finally, the magic happens as you combine the olives, Miracle Whip, and mustard to create the special olive mixture.
But it wasn't just the taste that made these burgers special. It was the process, the shared memories, and the love poured into each ingredient. Every bite transported me back to those Sunday afternoons, filled with laughter, conversation, and the warmth of family. Now, I carry on the tradition, sharing these burgers with my own family. Each bite is not just a meal; it's a treasured memory, a taste of my mother's love, and a delicious connection to the past. And yes, I always add a dollop of crumbled feta cheese and a few crisp lettuce leaves, just to give it that extra touch of modernity.
Beyond the burger: This recipe has become more than just a culinary delight; it's a symbol of family, tradition, and the enduring power of a simple, perfectly executed meal. It’s a recipe that transcends generations, carrying with it the love and stories that made it so special in the first place. The simplicity of the ingredients, coupled with the complexity of flavor, makes this recipe a testament to the power of good food and cherished memories. It's a recipe I’ll continue to pass down through the years, ensuring that future generations can experience the magic of Mom's Favorite Olive Burgers.
A Culinary Legacy: So, gather your ingredients, and let the aroma of sizzling burgers transport you to a place of warmth, family, and unforgettable tastes. It is not just about recreating a recipe, but rather about recreating a moment, a feeling, and a connection to those who have come before. This recipe, passed down through generations, is a living legacy, a culinary tapestry woven with love, memories, and a whole lot of deliciousness. As you savour each bite, remember that sometimes the simplest things hold the greatest joy. The memories associated with this burger are priceless, and that's something that can't be measured in calories or grams.
