Comfort Food Makeover - Meatloaf Burgers

Classic comfort food is just that, comfort food. Whether your favorite is creamy mac and cheese, mashed potatoes and gravy, or good old fashioned meatloaf, sometimes you just need to eat one of those childhood favorites that has become a source of comfort. I am not condoning emotional eating at all, but I will say that comfort food (in moderation) helps when you've had a really horrible day, or getting over an illness.  It takes you back to when life had no worries and all you had to think about was who you were going to call to play that day.  Oh, if life were only that easy still.

The Hubs LOVES meatloaf, my girls both love it too.  With spring upon us we just cannot stop grilling, so we took one of our favorites and grilled it.  Two thumbs up from everyone!  I was skeptical that our youngest would eat it, because she seems to find fault in just about everything these days, but she ate the entire thing.  The burger stayed moist, juicy, and was full of flavor.   The glaze that we brushed onto the burger just before it was done, caramelized and gave it a wonderfully sweetness.  Delicious!  I whipped up another batch of the toasted onion buns, and thought that it was a great combo.

Meatloaf Burgers
makes 6 servings

For the burgers:
1 1/2  lb ground beef
1 medium onion, finely chopped
3 tbsp ketchup
1 large egg
1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
1 tsp salt
3/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

For the glaze:
1/4 cup ketchup
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
2 tsp packed brown sugar

Preheat the grill, or broiler.  In a large bowl, mix the ground beef, onion, ketchup, egg, panko, salt and pepper (works well to dive in and just use your hands.)  Don't overwork the mixture, or you'll have tough burgers.  Divide the mixture into 6 pieces and form them into patties.

In a small bowl, combine the ketchup, Dijon mustard, and brown sugar to make the glaze.  Set it aside.

Grill the burgers until they are just about done, then using a silicone basting brush, brush the glaze generously over each burger.  Continue to cook until they are done to your liking.

Place on buns, top with cheese, lettuce, tomato, and onion slices.  Finish off with your favorite condiments and enjoy!  I'd love to hear what you think when you give these a try...