take my word for it wednesday.. bagel umami burgers are good!!!

i have, ever since i was wee little tot, loved bagels.. i can remember in elementary school begging my mom to buy lenders bagel after having one at a friends house the weekend before.. and from that point forward i've been hooked... i simply adore them.. i like sweet, savory, plain.. anyway i can get them.. i love bagel sandwiches.. my favorite right now is a toasted bagel with a "smear" of cream cheese, thinly sliced cucumber, red onion and tomato.. *sigh* and don't get me started on bagels and lox...i could eat them all day long.. years ago i made burgers and had no buns but had a bag or fresh bagels.. ohh lawdy was it good.. and now we eat our burgers on bagels 50% of the time... try it, you'll like.. switch up the bagel.. use an everything bagel.. onion.. or maybe try a poppyseed..



but as i mentioned yesterday while discussing my eggle bagel (recipe here..) i don't really buy the big thick chewy lovely bagels anymore.. (every now and again i induldge my craving and get a fresh bagel.. usually from panera....but shhhh don't tell my mom) but for the most part we do stick with the bagel thins mostly since they are less calorie and less carbs and actually they go really well with a burger.. especially a umami burger.. what is umami you ask?? here is wiki's definition.. it's a savory taste.. i have mentioned before i love fish sauce.. (which is used in a lot of umami recipes) i personally think it goes great in everything!!! ok not everything.. it would be a real drag in shall we say lemon bars.. but you get where i am coming from?? in "savory" dishes.. way back when i posted this burger recipe here.. which is basically this same recipe with a few tweaks, additions and well a bagel instead of a bun!!

umami burger

prep time: 30 minutes
cooking time: 10 minutes
servings: approx. 6

ingredients:

2 1/2 lbs ground beef
1 tblsp. of fish sauce
1/2 tbls. worcestershire sauce
1/2 tbls. garlic powder
1/2 tbls. onion powder
a dash of sriracha (i love sriracha and it's yummy in this burger)
white pepper to taste ( you don't need salt because the fish sauce is salty enough)

assembly:

split bagels
olive oil
garlicky fry sauce (recipe posted tomorrow)
lettuce (optional)
onion (optional)
tomato (optional)
american cheese (cheese of your choice)

In a medium bowl combine all burger ingredients.. shape into 6 hamburger patties.. (at this point i leave them on the cutting board and place in the fridge usually about 20 minutes, just while i fire up the bbq and do other things.. it allows the ingredients to marry so to speak) then on a medium high grill/cook your patties for about 4-5 minutes per side.. depending on your desired level of doneness.. we like ours medium... right before taking your burgers off. place a slice of cheese on each burger... then brush your split bagels with a little olive oil cut side and place on the grill.. watch them carefully so not to burn.. then assemble your burger with your desired toppings..  garlicky fry sauce, cheese, lettuce, thinly sliced onions, tomato and burger.. (the garlicky fry sauce is a must.. not to miss.. amazing.. i even shocked myself how good it is.. be sure to check back tomorrow for that recipe)

i make the burger right off the grill then bring them inside for everyone to assemble their own burger.. buffet style..