Cookouts, picnics and other July 4 traditions may look different this year, but burgers and hot dogs can still be the menu stars. Kick off the holiday weekend food fest with these five favorites.
Photograph courtesy of California Milk Advisory Board
Smoked Pimento Cheeseburger
Southern ingredients and preparations are trending on menus, and pimento cheese is one of the favorites. At Illegal Food in Atlanta, chef Steven Lingenfelter menus a housemade smoky version that tops one of his burgers. It's a blend of cream cheese, hot sauce, smoked paprika, fire-roasted red peppers and seasonings.
A far cry from the ballpark standard, this "hot dog" features knockwurst, bacon, and extra-sharp cheddar cheese. Serve on a crusty roll with additional mustard and a side of grilled onions, if desired.
At Rioja in Denver, chef Jennifer Jasinski sources local lamb for several signature entrees. The Rioja burger repurposes lamb scraps from other cuts, making for a cost-effective and waste-reducing menu item.
Lobster rolls and hot dogs, both summer staples, are fused into a seafood item poised to become a seasonal favorite. Chef Neal Fraser blends salmon, halibut and scallops into a sausage shape that he grills and encloses in petite buns.
A&E Supply Co. is a burger destination in Brooklyn known for its butcher shop vibe. Chef Adam Harvey brings in whole animals and grinds the beef in-house. The Juicy Lucy, a cheeseburger with the cheese placed inside the meat patty instead of on top, is made here with French emmental cheese.
Also in this week’s legislative update: Oklahoma says okay to electronic school meal applications and New Hampshire lawmakers rework a bill that would make a handful of changes to school nutrition programs.