Super Bowl : Winter :: Fourth of July : Summer.
At least that’s how it goes in my mind. There’s still plenty of winter left, but this weekend always feels like the pinnacle of the season. And, in celebration of the testosterone and Sports Center filled weekend ahead (ugh…I can hardly wait), I dedicate this recipe and a pint of beer to all of you and my husband who will be screaming at the TV all Sunday night long. [Tom Brady can’t hear you, honey…]
It’s a super easy finger food app inspired by an American classic – the cheeseburger – that’s always been a hit at our family gatherings. And, if I’m really going to give credit where credit is due, I must give props to Joe for this one. He picked up the basics of this recipe when he was in high school working for a local catering company. The seasonings have been tweaked through the years, but the fundamental meaty, cheese, buttery pastry goodness remains the same. In the past, they have been made with Pillsbury crescent rolls, which may suit some of you just fine. However, if you want to get something a little less “conventional,” without artificial colors and flavors, Immaculate Baking Company has a crescent roll product that’s been popping up at grocery stores everywhere and is fantastic and ORGANIC. That’s something that makes me feel good – how about you?
Feel free to serve this with plain old ketchup and they’ll still be a hit. BUT, for those of you that like to get a little fancy pants, I have a few ideas. How about serving with a chipotle ketchup? Or try a copy cat recipe of In and Out Burger’s secret spread. Maybe your favorite barbecue sauce? I’d be down for serving with a little ramekin of bread and butter pickle slices. Or spearing the whole thing with a toothpick and a small square of bacon on the bottom [jaw drop]. So many ways to enjoy these cute little burger buddies, people. Have fun with it… And have fun at your super bowl party – whether it’s low key at home in your jammies or jazzed up with a big crowd of friends.
burger buddies
32 pieces
1 + 2 Tbsp. Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1/3 cup finely minced onion
1 lb. ground beef (90/10)
2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp. hot sauce
salt
fresh ground pepper
1/4 lb. sliced yellow American cheese
2 tubes crescent rolls
poppy seeds
ketchup for serving
Heat 1 tablespoon of oil over medium/low heat. Add minced onion and a sprinkle of salt. Saute approximately two minutes until barely cooked, making sure not to brown. Remove from pan and set aside. Turn heat up to medium/high and add 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Add ground beef and break up into small pieces with the back of a wooden spoon. Add Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, 1 teaspoon of salt and a few grinds of pepper. Saute 5 minutes or until browned and cooked through. Remove pan from heat, add reserved onions, and mix well. Transfer mixture to a glass container and put in the refrigerator for at least one hour to cool completely.
Once meat has sufficiently cooled remove from refrigerator and preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. To begin assembly preparation, tear American cheese slices into approximately 1″ folded squares and set aside. Remove crescent rolls from can. Each roll contains 8 long triangles. Cut each triangle in half. Pour a couple tablespoons of poppy seeds into a small ramekin. Now begin assembly by gently stretching/flattening one of the dough pieces just enough so it’s larger, but not so thin that you’re getting holes. Lay a folded cheese piece in the center and then top with 1-2 teaspoons of ground meat mixture*. Gather all sides of the dough pieces and pull towards the top. Pinch edges together to seal it tightly and close it like a Chinese dumpling. Dip smooth top of burger buddy in the poppy seeds and gently press to adhere them. Place finished buddy pinched side down/poppy side up on the baking sheet. Repeat until all are filled, spacing buddies approximately 1″ apart. Bake for 10 – 12 minutes, rotating baking sheet once, until buddies are lightly golden. Serve immediately with ketchup for dipping. See notes in post above for additional serving ideas.
- *I urge you to not skimp and try to fit as much meat into each one as you can. The pastry grows in the oven and you really want to get the meat flavor when you bite into it.
- You may have remaining meat – this is yummy to eat on it’s own, toss on a salad or fill a taco with.
