It's National Burger Day 😋🍔

Holly_Scope · August 6

A burger that’s got eyes, a mouth, hands and legs and looks to be dancing. To the right, it says national burger day.

National Burger Day was introduced in 2013 in America, however some British people celebrate this too, as do chains like McDonalds and Burger King. I wonder if there are any special offers today? 💭

🍔 The history of the burger

As with many of the content shared, I like to provide a bit of history. And that of the burger I found particularly interesting when researching…

It's thought that the burger was created in1885 by brothers Charles and Frank Menches who were running a concessions stand at Erie County Fair in Hamburg, New York when they ran out of pork sausages, so began putting ground beef on their sandwiches' instead, making it into a burger.

But the idea of a burger of sorts, started much earlier than that! In-fact the first meal that resembled a burger was created in the 1st century A.D. in Rome. It consisted of ground minced meat, coupled with peppers, pine nuts and other flavourings.

Then in the 13th century, the Mongals, (which were fierce warriors that were known for their cleverness and efficiency), used to carry thick slabs of meat under their saddles and throughout the day, this would help to tenderise the meat.

This evolved in 1747, when the "Hamburg Sausage" prototype featured in "The Art of Cookery Made Plain and Easy". The author; Hannah Glasse describes smoked sausage made of ground beef, pepper, garlic, nutmeg, cloves, salt and vinegar. This was then served on toast. This transitioned in 1802 when "Hamburg steak" was added to the Oxford English Dictionary. This is described as a salted minced ground beef mixed with breadcrumbs and onions, which is then slightly smoked.

During a 4th of July celebration in 1891, the first flame-grilled beef burgers were served between buns by husband and wife; Oscar and Fanny Weber Wilby. It is said that the first hamburger restaurant was opened in Kansas in 1921.

A photo of a Mcdonalds meal comprising of a glass of coca-cola, fries, chicken nuggets and a big mac.

And then in 1948 the famous McDonalds brothers began to serve these, expanding them to the largest fast-food chain in the world!

😋

If you were thinking of creating your own burger in celebration, here are some links with some interesting idea's:

Burger recipes - BBC Food

Vegetarian and Vegan

The first vegetarian burger was made available in the 1960's in a London restaurant called Seed when Gregory Sam's created the first, which comprised of seitan, tamari, aduki beans, and oat flakes.

Vegan black bean burger in a seeded bun, with red onion, tomato, and lettuce as garnish.

We've come along way since then, with veggie and vegan burgers available in many restaurants, and even within most supermarkets!

😋

Here are some great veggie and vegan recipe options if you're celebrating today:

If the weathers nice, it might be a good excuse to get the BBQ out! 🌞

Albus_Scope · August 29

Oh I do love a good burger! I used to come up with some lovely flavour combos when I used to help out in the restaurant. 😋

Now I'm trying to "eat clean" boo hiss.

66Mustang · August 29

Thanks for writing this 😊

@Albus_Scope what does "eat clean" mean? Is it like eating more healthily / whole stuff? I imagine there's ways of making a burger "cleaner"? Like if you made a burger from scratch and chose what went in it's probably more nutritious than a pre-prepared meal, even one sold as a healthy option

Albus_Scope · August 29

It's basically trying to cut out bad fats, processed meats, red meats, too many carbs etc. Just eating healthier really @66Mustang. I'm a sucker for a big packet of crisps when I'm bored. 🤣

But you can make some fairly healthy burgers now, especially the vegan ones and they can taste really good too!

66Mustang · August 29

I love some non meat dishes @Albus_Scope sometimes it's nice to not eat animals, just feels less dirty or something that I can't really explain

I don't know if I could be a vegan, sometimes I wonder if they try to see it too black-and-white, when it isn't? Like I'm not into supermarket milk, but I get raw milk from a farm that makes sure their cows are well cared for… they don't make meat, just dairy stuff from their cows.. it's very expensive but seems fair enough

And honey, I think that's a positive aspect in every aspect - doesn't take from nature, in fact adding bees to the global system is a net contribution

Mary_Scope · August 29

Very partial to a good burger here too🤩

I recently tried Heinz pickle flavour tomato sauce and I was really skeptical at first because lets be honest, it sounds a bit gross!

But it tasted exactly like the McPlant (and Big Mac I assume) from McDonalds, it was so bizarre! Definitely recommend that if you like a pickle!

66Mustang · August 29

Talking about alternative products I ordered a "Lion's Mane Latte" yesterday.. I didn't know what it was, I just like trying new stuff I haven't heard of. I assumed it just had ginger syrup or something

I took a few sips and liked it but couldn't work out what was different to just a latte, except costing £1 more, so looked it up

It's made from mushroom powder 😳 (from the "Lion's Mane" mushroom) I would not have ordered it if I'd known, but apparently it's good for anxiety and stress

WelshBlue · August 29

I like to make a pork and apple burger.

Pork mince finely diced, onion, apple sauce, touch of tomato puree, onion granules garlic granules and cajun seasoning. Flame grilled when made into a patty. Served with dill pickle on a toasted brioche bun … salad and condiment personal taste