Burgers with Fresh Tomato Relish

Burgers with Fresh Tomato Relish

I love a good burger.  Nothing fancy, just a good burger.  My favorite recipe comes from this cookbook of all places.  It was a gift from The Husband about 15 years ago, and I keep going back to the same burger recipe time and time again.

My usual burger toppings include American cheese, ketchup, mayonnaise, and a little pickle relish.  But I decided to whirl up a batch of fresh tomato relish in my food processor to change up tonight's dinner.  A chunky blend of grape tomatoes and onions is combined with vinegar, honey and a few pantry seasoning staples.  This sweet-tart and savory topping would also be ideal for a turkey sandwich or scrambled eggs.

With some recipes, you don't mess with perfection.  Keep it simple.

Burgers with Fresh Tomato Relish

makes 4 burgers
for fresh tomato relish --
1 pint grape tomatoes
1/2 cup onion, chopped
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
2 teaspoons honey
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon celery salt

for burgers --
2 slices bread
about 1/4 cup milk
1 pound ground beef ( I use organic ground beef)
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup onion, finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper

4 buns

Heat grill to medium high heat.

For the fresh tomato relish, place ingredients in the bowl of a food processor and pulse 10 - 12 times or until the tomatoes and onions are finely chopped but still chunky.  Set aside.

For the burgers, place the bread in a bowl and pour milk over it. After the bread has soaked up as much of the milk as possible, squeeze out the excess. Combine the soaked bread and the remaining burger ingredients in a large bowl. Form into 4 burgers.

Grill burgers about 3 - 4 minutes per side for medium rare or a little longer if you like your burgers more well done.  Serve on buns with a generous spoonful of the tomato relish.