Monday, July 4, 2011

Bunker Sliders


My husband makes the best burgers. They are always so flavorful and juicy, nicely balanced, and especially fun because he loves making them. So I call his burgers "Bunker Burgers" as they are so special and unique! He spent many tailgating years at Notre Dame perfecting his technique and recipe, and since then, he has tried out all kinds of new combinations, often to meet the tastes of his wife, a self proclaimed picky eater.

Happy 4th of July!

These sliders were born from our nostalgia for the Little Leaguers from "Ball's Hamburgers," a mainstay in the lives of anyone who grew up in Dallas, Texas. The one in our neighborhood (in Snider Plaza) closed a few years ago, and was replaced by, of all things, a Dunkin' Doughnuts Shop. I was unhappy for quite a few reasons, and very pleased when Dunkin' Doughnuts left that location after about a year. Ball's Hamburgers is still open on Northwest Highway and Midway, the burgers are still yummy, but the atmosphere is just not the same. Anyways, Bunker and I grew up eating these sliders after soccer games, during birthday parties, and for off-campus high school lunches. It is a sweet memory and an easy one to recreate at home!

These have a sweet twist by featuring Hawaiian Sweet Rolls!


My husband did ALL of the cooking on this one!

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Ingredients:
-We purchased .6 pounds of ground meat which equals .1 pounds of ground meat per burger (we used rather lean meat...98% lean...but you can use whatever you like).
-1 Tablespoon BBQ Sauces of your choice
-1 Tablespoon Ranch Dressing
-1/2 Tablespoon Horseradish
-Jack's Burger House Seasoned Salt to taste, at least 1 to 2 teaspoons (or your seasoning of choice...Jack's Burger House is another local burger joint that is just delicious! I think it is just called Burger House now, but people that have lived in Dallas for a long time remember it as Jack's...it is one of those places you could carve your name into the tables and write on the walls...those walls actually can tell a lot of stories!)
-Sliced cheeses of your choice, cut into four pieces each. Bunker used Muenster on his and he used Cheddar on mine.
-6 Hawaiian Sweet Rolls cut in half

Steps:
1. Mix together the ground meat, Tablespoon of BBQ sauce, Tablespoon of Ranch Dressing, 1/2 Tablespoon of Horseradish, and seasoned salt.
2. Form the mixture into 1/4 cup sized patties.

3. On your outside or inside grill, cook the burgers for about 2 minutes per side.



4. Add the sliced cheese to the burgers and cook for another 2 minutes. We covered the burgers to let them steam.



5. Stack on top of your sliced Hawaiian rolls and enjoy!




 Cort was on the move!
Puppies cooperated far better than we expected!!

 

3 comments:

  1. Yeah for "Bunker Burgers" (i.e. "Little Leaguers")!

    Interesting footnote for A Thyme to Eat's regular readers: Little Leaguers were Staci's husband's last meal as a single man. He ate them on the afternoon of his wedding. Those Little Leaguers were, in fact, the last he ever ate. (Balls' Hamburger's Snider Plaza location closed later that summer.) The person who purchased Robert's last Little Leaguers was none other than Suzie Curnes. Thanks again, Suze.

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  2. i like the footnote Robert :) And good pics with the puppies suz! hope yall had fun at the lake!

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  3. Yummmmy looking! Uncle Joe and I want Bunker and you to come cook for us! It isn't as hot up here so maybe that will entice you? LOL Great photos of you and the pooches! and of course the "Bunker Burgers"

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