The Secret Recipe Club:
Award Winning “Logan County Hamburgers”
(Recipe)
The Secret Recipe Club: Award Winning Logan County Hamburgers
Regular Lavender and Lovage readers will know that I am a member of The Secret Recipe Club – and no, it’s not furtive baking or cooking by moonlight in a distant log cabin on the second Thursday in the month, but it’s a on-line cooking challenge and a great way to meet new people and try out different recipes from all over the world. The plan is simple, you are sent a link to your “secret blog” at the beginning of the month – you then make a recipe from that blog and then post the recipe on a designated “reveal day”, where you get to see who was assigned your site too. This month’s “reveal day” is today, Easter Monday, and my “secret blog” is written by Des over at SteakNPotatoesKindaGurl, and if the title of her blog is anything to go by, she is also my kinda girl too! Des seems so bubbly and friendly and you can read more about her here: About Des. Des lives in Cincinnati in Ohio and she describes herself as being: …..”indecisive, messy, a night owl, emotional, guarded at times, an introvert, shy, impatient, stubborn, sarcastic, and pessimistic at times, yet loyal, detailed, empathic, silly, intelligent, hard-working, friendly, humble, mature yet a kid at heart, open-minded, and thoughtful”…..
Logan County Hamburgers
You will have already gathered from my photos and the title of today’s post, that the recipe I decided to make was for a BURGER! Not any old burger however, but an award winning hamburger that was created by Katie Lee, ex-wife of the singer Billy Joel and author of the cookbook “The Comfort Table”. It certainly wasn’t an easy decision, as Des has lots of really tasty sounding recipes, and I was very tempted with Cheesy BBQ Sloppy Joes, Baked Creamy Chicken Flautas, Buttermilk Chicken, Garlic Oven Fries, Endive, Avocado, and Bacon Salad with Chipotle Ranch Dressing and the very comforting sounding Cheddar-Mashed Potato Casserole. I am more a “savoury person” than a “sweet person”, but I was also drawn to her recipes for Homemade Twix Bars and Chocolate Fudge Brownies with Chocolate Buttercream Frosting too, maybe another time!
The Secret Recipe Club:
Award Winning “Logan County Hamburgers”
However, it was the recipe for Katie Lee’s Logan County Burgers that I finally decided to make, mainly as I wanted a tasty and easy meal for for mid-week, and this recipe looked amazing and fitted the bill. The recipe appears to be very famous as when I researched it, it was EVERYWHERE on the internet! It’s not a burger or a hamburger as we know it in the UK or Europe, in fact most people over the pond would also say it is more like a “patty melt”, but whatever the name, it was absolutely delectable and I can see why Katie Lee won an award for best burger with her recipe, which is based on a recipe her grandmother used to make during hard times. It’s basically a grilled cheese sandwich, or a “toastie” as we call them, with onions and a seasoned onion hamburger in the middle. It was simply fabulous, and we both enjoyed it with salad and tomatoes, as well as a dollop of mayonnaise.
Home-made country white bread
To make this tasty sandwich, just follow the recipe instructions I have shared below, they are slightly adapted from the original and are listed in metric measurements for my European, Canadian and Australian readers. Do pop over to Des’s site and you REALLY must give these hamburgers a try too, think cheese and onion toastie but with a burger! Enjoy the last day of the Easter holidays, and I’ll be back very soon with more recipes, news and general kitchen chat. Karen 
Logan County Hamburgers
Print recipe
| Serves | 4 Burgers |
| Prep time | 10 minutes |
| Cook time | 10 minutes |
| Total time | 20 minutes |
| Meal type | Lunch, Main Dish, Snack |
| Misc | Child Friendly, Pre-preparable, Serve Hot |
| Occasion | Barbecue, Casual Party |
| Region | American |
| By author | Katie Lee Joel |
Ingredients
- 450g extra lean minced beef (85% meat minimum)
- 1 free-range egg, beaten
- 1 onion, peeled and one half sliced, the other half grated
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic granules (or powder)
- 1 teaspoon sea salt flakes
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
- 8 slices white bread (I used home-made country white bread)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 8 slices of cheese (I used Emmental "Swiss" cheese slices)
Note
These hamburgers are named after the county town of Logan in West Virginia, USA and are the prize winning burger recipe by Katie Lee Joel, who based her recipe on her grandmother's "thrifty" recipe for making a little meat go a long way by adding an egg, grated onion and seasoning. The recipe is more like a "patty melt", another American classic sandwich, than a regular burger, but Katie says that you can call it what you want, this burger tastes good! (This recipe won an award at the "Burger Bash" in New York City in 2009)
Directions
| Step 1 | In a bowl, mix the minced beef, beaten egg, grated onion, garlic granules, salt and pepper together. Mix until it is all combined and then make 4 thin patties (burgers) that are the same shape as the sliced bread you are using. |
| Step 2 | Spread the butter on one side of each slice of bread. |
| Step 3 | Heat a large frying pan, skillet or griddle over medium to high heat and cook the burgers for about 3 minutes on each side. Drain then on some paper towels and set to one side. Drain any meat fat from the pan too. |
| Step 4 | In the same pan/skillet/griddle, place four slices of the bread, buttered side down and top each slice with a slice of cheese, some of the onions and a burger. Top with remaining slice of cheese and then the bread, buttered side up. |
| Step 5 | Cook each sandwich for 2 to 3 minutes on each side, until the cheese has melted and the bread is golden brown. |
| Step 6 | Cut into halves or quarters and serve with mustard, pickles or ketchup. I like to serve these with a side of fresh salad leaves and tomatoes. |
What Kate Baked says
Lovely Karen! And what a great way of meeting new bloggers and discovering new recipes! We are off the the US for a holiday next month and I can’t wait to tuck into some of the foodie traditions of the Deep South!
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thanks Kate, yes, it is a great way to meet new people and discover new recipes too, although I am an orphan this month – the person who had me couldn’t make my recipe due to family circumstances 🙁 But at least I discovered Des and her tasty blog! 🙂
London Unattached Lifestyle and Travel says
Looks great Karen, amazing how much nicer home-made burgers/patties are!!
Karen Burns-Booth says
MUCH nicer Fiona and a breeze to make too!
Sylvia says
Lush! Can I invite myself for breakfast at your place 🙂 They’re absolutely amazing!
Karen Burns-Booth says
You are welcome any time Sylvia! 🙂
Louisa Foti says
Oh how much would I do for one of those right now. I do love a good homemade burger and ironically have planned to make some for the first time in ages this Friday for Jacques’s 4th birthday – he requested a barbecue with burgers (easily pleased that boy!). Shall definitely be melting some cheese on them too having seen your droolworthy pics, yes please!.
Karen Burns-Booth says
GOOD for Jacques, he is a wee man of impeccable taste Lou!
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
Who hasn’t craved a hamburger that looks that good? There are times that only a burger will do and this one is as fine as I’ve seen in a long time. What a good find.
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thanks Maureen! This was indeed a FABULOUS find and tasted delicious!
Dominic says
my word that is a beautiful burger… how absolutely stunning and what a feast… Im definitely going to try a crunchy white loaf like you’ve used here for my next burger… gorgeous!
Karen Burns-Booth says
Big doorsteps of sliced bread is so much better than the thin plastic stuff Dom!
Stephanie says
Very nice looking hamburgers. Love that you made it on the crusty bread instead of a bun. Makes it so much better. great SRC post
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thanks Stephanie and I will make these again with crusty bread!
SallyBR says
This burger looks amazing, luscious, and I must say I love your choice of bread
Who could tell I would be drooling over this recipe, as I simply cannot stand Katie Lee – she is in a show on FoodTV now and I can take just about ten seconds of her 😉
but I guess she knows how to make a nice burger!
Karen Burns-Booth says
LOL! I had never heard of Katie Lee until I saw this burger recipe Sally, so I have been saved from that fate! But as you say, her burgers are fabulous, and that’s all that counts! Karen
kateiscooking says
Don’t you love how some of the simplest combinations are the best. This is going on our menu planner along with that salad with the chipotle dressing…
Karen Burns-Booth says
OH yes to a chipotle dressing Kate, sounds wonderful! Karen
Tina @ The Spicy Pear says
Oh my those hamburgers look mouthwateringly good! I love the toasted bread and all that cheese. Yum!
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thanks Tina, they were pretty lush! 🙂
Nayna Kanabar (@SIMPLYF00D) says
Lovely choice for src Karen. Your pictures always look drool worthy.
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thanks Nayna! I DO love SRC, even though I was an orphan again this month, the 2nd time it has happened!
Glamorous Glutton says
Ooh, that sounds like a gem, I have to try it. GG
Karen Burns-Booth says
I think the Glam teens will love this one GG!
Vanesther - Bangers & Mash says
Oh dear, I am literally drooling here looking at those photos. I’ve just eaten but I could easily tuck into one of those bad boys!
Karen Burns-Booth says
LOL! Thanks Vanesther, they were NOT 5:2 diet friendly, but I need a treat now and then!
gloria says
these hamburgers look awesome Karen!
Karen Burns-Booth says
They WERE thanks Gloria! All gone now!
Veronica says
Oh wow, this is making my mouth water! Love Desi’s blog – she always has such comfort foods to share and this is no exception. Love your photos – I’m really craving a patty melt now!
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thanks Veronica! I was so pleased to have her blog given to me and as you say, she has so many lovely recipes!
Rhonda says
I totally agree that these are really more of a patty melt, but who wants to quibble about names when they obviously taste so delicious! You did such a nice write up of Des’s blog, nice post!
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thanks Rhonda! Patty melt of Logan county style burger, they went down a treat here!
Chris says
Goodness! Delish! That bread with the patty…*swoon*
Karen Burns-Booth says
Hahaha! Thanks Chris!
Bintu @ Recipes From A Pantry says
That is it – I am binning my bowl of porridge and just going to seat here and pretend I am eating this. Lovely picture Karen.
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thanks Bintu! I LOVE porridge too, but have to say these were really special!
A Couple in the Kitchen says
Sure looks and sounds award-winning to me. Wish I had one for lunch right now!
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thanks so much! 🙂
Debra says
Pretty darn delicious!!!!
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thanks Debra!
Margaret says
There is absolutely NOTHING better than a good juicy hamburger with lots of cheese. I HAVE to try this one.
Karen Burns-Booth says
I agree and this recipe was JUST delicious Margaret!
kirstin says
YUM! Nothing like a good burger!
Karen Burns-Booth says
I agree that there is nothing like a GOOD burger Kirsten!
Mary says
There is nothing as delicious as a good old fashioned burger, especially cooked on the grill! I like the tweaks on this version! If you can get them, try using Vidalia onions, they are like eating candy! Have a great day!
Karen Burns-Booth says
Thanks! 🙂 I have heard about Vidalia onions Mary, are they sweet?