Dinner Tonight! : QUICK FIX : The Last Burger--Make It Count

I like summer too much to celebrate its unofficial end on Labor Day. But it is traditional to grill “the last” of the season’s burgers on that weekend, and I like tradition almost as much as I like summer.

The burger needn’t be topped with just the usual Swiss or Cheddar cheese, though. Creamy goat cheese and grilled onions and peppers make a nice alternative.

Make the cole slaw in a snap by picking up a bag of pre-cut slaw--in this case broccoli slaw--and tossing it with cumin-flavored dressing.

And what better way to end the meal? Serve ripe summer melon.

MENU

Goat Cheese, Onion and Red Pepper Burgers

Broccoli Slaw

Sliced Melon

Goat Cheese, Onion and Red Pepper Burgers

Active Work and Total Preparation Time: 20 minutes

1 1/2 pounds ground beef

1 teaspoon minced fresh oregano

Salt, pepper

1 egg

1 (7-ounce) jar roasted red peppers, drained, rinsed and blotted dry

1 red onion, sliced into 1/2-inch-thick rings

1 (5-ounce) package fresh goat cheese

6 large hamburger buns

* Combine ground beef with oregano, salt and pepper to taste and egg in large bowl. Mix gently but thoroughly. Shape into 4 patties. Chill in refrigerator 10 minutes.

* Grill red peppers over medium-hot coals until heated through and lightly charred, about 2 minutes per side. Grill onion rings until tender and lightly charred, about 3 to 4 minutes per side. Cut red peppers into thin strips and combine with onion. Set aside.

* Grill burgers over medium heat until desired doneness, about 4 minutes per side for medium rare. Place in buns and top each with 1 tablespoon goat cheese and 1/4 of onion and pepper mixture.

6 servings. Each serving: 625 calories; 431 mg sodium; 174 mg cholesterol; 43 grams fat; 19 grams carbohydrates; 39 grams protein; 0.23 gram fiber.

Quick Broccoli Slaw

Active Work and Total Preparation Time: 5 minutes

1/2 cup mayonnaise

3 tablespoons lime juice

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon chili powder

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Salt

1 (8-ounce) package broccoli slaw

* Combine mayonnaise, lime juice, cumin, chili powder, cayenne pepper and salt to taste in small bowl. Mix well. Place slaw in large bowl and toss with dressing.

6 servings. Each serving: 106 calories; 199 mg sodium; 8 mg cholesterol; 7 grams fat; 10 grams carbohydrates; 1 gram protein; 0.32 gram fiber.

INGREDIENTS PANTRY

Cayenne pepper

Chili powder

Eggs

Ground cumin

Limes

Fresh oregano

Red onion

SHOPPING LIST

1 1/2 pounds ground beef

1 (5-ounce) package goat cheese

Melon

1 (7-ounce) jar roasted red peppers

1 (8-ounce) package broccoli slaw

GAME PLAN:

30 minutes before: Heat grill, mince oregano.

25 minutes before: Make burger patties.

20 minutes before: Drain and rinse peppers, slice onion.

15 minutes before: Grill onions and peppers.

10 minutes before: Grill burgers, combine onions and peppers.

5 minutes before: Make broccoli slaw.