Relish Your Burger

Anyone can set a bottle of ketchup or mustard on the table, but there are many more condiments to enhance the taste of hamburgers and moisten the buns.

Consider the BLT Winner, Charred Sweet Onions With Blue Cheese and the quick homemade Spicy Corn Relish. If you can’t choose one, serve them all--they make a great feast. These condiments can also be enjoyed on the side.

Slap your burger onto a fresh Kaiser bun--my favorite--which, when fresh, is soft inside with just enough crust. Be sure to warm the buns before serving.

BLT Winner

Active Work and Total Preparation Time: 15 minutes

1/2 cup light mayonnaise

2 tablespoons light sour cream

Hot sauce

6 slices cooked bacon, crumbled

1 large tomato, halved, seeded and diced small

1/2 head iceberg lettuce, cored, diced small and chilled

Salt

Freshly ground pepper

1 tablespoon minced parsley, for garnish (optional)

* Combine mayonnaise, sour cream and few drops hot sauce in 1 1/2-quart bowl. Add bacon and tomato. (Can be made several hours ahead and refrigerated.)

* To serve, stir in lettuce and season to taste with salt, pepper and hot sauce. Garnish with parsley, if using. Serve immediately.

8 to 12 servings. Each of 12 servings: 47 calories; 107 mg sodium; 10 mg cholesterol; 3 grams fat; 3 grams carbohydrates; 1 gram protein; 0.19 gram fiber.

Charred Sweet Onions and Blue Cheese

Active Work and Total Preparation Time: 15 minutes

This topping can be served at room temperature or warm, slightly reheated in the microwave oven. It combines well with Dijon mustard.

2 tablespoons oil

1 large sweet onion, halved and thinly sliced

1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar

1 teaspoon red wine vinegar

2/3 cup crumbled blue cheese

Salt

Freshly ground pepper

1 tablespoon snipped chives, for garnish

* Heat oil in large heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion. Cook, stirring occasionally to avoid burning but to allow browning, about 5 to 6 minutes. Stir in balsamic and red wine vinegars, then blue cheese. Remove from heat. Add salt and pepper to taste. (Can be made 3 days ahead and refrigerated. To serve, let sit out until room temperature or gently warm in microwave oven.) Adjust seasoning. Garnish with chives.

4 to 8 servings. Each of 8 servings: 75 calories; 193 mg sodium; 8 mg cholesterol; 7 grams fat; 2 grams carbohydrates; 3 grams protein; 0.08 gram fiber.

Spicy Corn Relish

Active Work and Total Preparation Time: 15 minutes plus 1 hour chilling

2 ears young corn, kernels cut off

1/3 cup sweet gherkin pickle juice

1/4 cup minced sweet gherkin pickles

1/4 cup minced red onion

1/4 cup minced red bell pepper

3 tablespoons cider vinegar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

* Put corn, pickle juice, pickles, onion, pepper, vinegar, salt and pepper flakes in 8-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Stir well. Simmer 2 minutes. (Can be made several days ahead and refrigerated.) To serve, mix well, drain off juices. Chill 1 hour before serving.

4 to 5 servings. Each of 5 servings: 46 calories; 381 mg sodium; 0 cholesterol; 0 fat; 11 grams carbohydrates; 1 gram protein; 0.38 gram fiber.