Spicy Sausage Meatloaf Burgers

Oh, you wanted something healthy? Well, I’m pretty sure this isn’t it. This is down home comfort food. I was trying to hold off until fall to make this but the taste buds were calling.

Spicy Sausage Meatloaf Burger

adapted from foodnetwork.com

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus some for drizzling
• 1 red bell pepper, finely chopped
• 1 large onion, chopped and divided
• Salt and pepper, for seasoning
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 pound bulk hot sausage
• 1 pound ground sweet sausage
• 1 egg
• 3/4 cup bread crumbs, 3 generous handfuls, Italian or plain
• 1/2 cup grated Parmigiano or Romano, a couple of handfuls
• Burger Rolls
• Provolone cheese slices
• Tomato Sauce

Directions

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.

Heat a small skillet over medium heat with 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil. When the oil is hot, saute the red pepper and onions, 5 minutes, season with salt and pepper then remove to a plate to cool.

Mix ground beef and sausages with egg, bread crumbs, cheese, and cooled vegetables. Form large oval shaped patties no more than 1 1/4 inches thick then drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil. Form into as many patties as you can and freeze the rest in portion sized containers, separating patties with wax paper. Place the ones you are going to prepare in the oven on a cookie sheet and bake 17 to 18 minutes, until cooked through.

Place patty on a roll top with tomato sauce and cheese. Place under broiler until cheese is melted and bun is toasted.

We went horseback riding again this weekend. You know what’s interesting – and I’ll admit – not fun your second time on a horse? Galloping. Without knowing what I am doing, or how to ride at a gallop, it pretty much scared the crap out of me. My glasses felt like they were going to fly off of my face, my boots wouldn’t grip in the foot thingies ( I know they are stirrups, I just don’t like that word and am trying to replace it), and, did I mention, second time on a horse? Horses don’t gradually get to a speed, like a car. They go, all at once, 0 to 60. That is a very interesting experience. I want to learn how to ride when the horse is galloping – with contacts on, in grippy shoes, after instructions.

<—- War Paint. The horse I rode. He has personality…