"Are You Ready For Some Honey With Your Football?"

Gearing Up for Football Season: Burgers!

Are you ready for some football? Tailgating at the games, cookouts at home and screaming cheers and woes for a team’s plays abound during the long-awaited kickoff of football season. Whether it’s collegiate or professional level, football is one of America’s favorite pastimes. And there’s no better pairing than with America’s classic sweetener – HONEY!

Burgers are a staple at any tailgate or football gathering, but we bet you’re wondering how honey fits into that menu item, right? These burgers will surprise you with their range of flavors and will show you how versatile honey can be. Try our mouth-watering recipes and make this football season something to remember – regardless of your favorite team’s scores!

Honey-Glazed Salmon Burgers

Makes 4 servings

•2/3 cup honey

•2/3 cup ketchup

•1 Tablespoon cider vinegar

•2 teaspoons prepared horseradish

•1/2 teaspoon minced garlic

•1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

•1 can (14-3/4 oz.) salmon, drained

•1 cup plain dry bread crumbs

•1/2 cup chopped onion

•1/3 cup chopped green bell pepper

•3 egg whites

•4 hamburger buns, toasted

In small bowl, combine honey, ketchup, vinegar, horseradish, garlic and red pepper flakes until well blended. Reserve half of sauce. In separate bowl, mix together remaining ingredients, except buns. Blend in 2 Tbsp. of reserved sauce. Divide salmon mixture into 4 patties, 1/2- to 3/4-in thick. Place patties on well-oiled grill 4 to 6 inches from hot coals. Grill, turning 2 to 3 times and basting with sauce, until burgers are browned and heated through. Place on hamburger buns and serve with reserved sauce.

Blazing Bronco Burgers with Smoking Chipotle Honey Sauce

Makes 4 servings

•1 lb. ground beef, ground buffalo can be substituted for beef

•1/2 teaspoon salt

•1/2 teaspoon pepper

•1 teaspoon creole or Cajun seasoning

•4 roasted Anaheim chili peppers, fresh or canned

•4 slices (1 oz.) Pepper Jack cheese

•4 hamburger buns

•4 lettuce leaves

•4 slices tomato

•4 slices red onion

To prepare burgers, divide the meat into 4 equal portions and shape into patties. Combine the salt, pepper and creole or Cajun seasoning, then sprinkle the mixture evenly over the 4 patties. Grill the burgers until nearly cooked to desired level. Top each patty with a chili pepper, followed by a slice of cheese. Cover the grill until cheese melts and burgers are cooked to desired level. Spread the chipotle honey sauce evenly on each of the four buns. Serve patties on buns and garnish with lettuce, tomato and red onion.

Serving Suggestion: Served with Smoking Chipotle Honey Sauce, see associated recipe.

Smoking Chipotle Honey Sauce

Makes 4 servings

•1 canned chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, sliced

•1/3 cup honey

•2 Tablespoons mayonnaise

•2 Tablespoons ketchup

•1 Tablespoon yellow mustard

To prepare sauce, mix all sauce ingredients in bowl and set aside.

Nutrition: 582 Calories * 9 g Fat Total * 27.6 g Protein * 46.8 mg Cholesterol * 101 g Carbohydrates * 1057 mg Sodium * 3.39 g Dietary Fiber * 14% Calories from Fat *

Caribbean Turkey Burgers with Honey Pineapple Chutney

Makes 4 servings

•1 ripe fresh pineapple, peeled and cut into 1/2" thick slices

•1 large onion, peeled and cut into 1/2" slices

•2 Tablespoons vegetable oil, divided

•1/3 cup honey

•1/4 cup red wine vinegar

•1 Tablespoon grated orange peel

•1 Tablespoon grated fresh ginger

•1/4 teaspoon allspice

•1/4 cup red bell pepper, minced

•1 package (20 oz.) ground turkey

•1-1/2 teaspoon Jamaican jerk seasoning

•4 Hawaiian sweet sandwich rolls, toasted

•Butter lettuce leaves

To prepare the honey pineapple chutney, begin by brushing pineapple and onion slices with 1-1/2 Tablespoons oil. Grill for about 5 minutes per side over medium-high heat or until lightly charred; remove and let cool slightly. Discard tough pineapple. Finely chop pineapple and onion and place in a medium saucepan with honey, vinegar, orange peel, ginger and allspice; stir well. Bring to a boil; cover and reduce heat and simmer for 45 minutes. Add bell pepper and cook for 10 minutes more; let cool. In a medium bowl, stir together the ground turkey, 1/2 cup honey pineapple chutney, jerk seasoning and pepper. Shape into 4 large flat patties and brush with remaining oil. Grill over medium coals for 5 to 8 minutes per side or until cooked through. Serve on toasted buns topped with lettuce leaves and a spoonful of chutney.

Tip: *You may substitute Potato Hamburger Buns for the Hawaiian sweet sandwich rolls.