Pink Slime Used as a Filler in Most Ground Beef Puts Amonia in Our Food

 Pink Slime is a processed meat additive that can be found in most ground beef. Pink slime is made with the extra parts, or "trimmings," that is usually reserved for pet food. Some of these parts include:

• sinew
• fat
• connective tissue

 These parts are mechanically removed from the meat using a heating centrifuge and is then made into a paste. The recovered material is then processed and treated with ammonia to remove bacteria such as e-coli. It is then ground, compressed into blocks, and flash frozen to be used as a cheap filler for ground beef.  

In the United States, Pink Slime can constitute up to 15 percent of the beef without being labeled as containing the product.


Pink Slime has citizens questioning whether or not its safe. When samples of the product were tested, results came back showing that it is full of harmful bacteria.


 Pink Slime has been banned in many areas, including Canada and the United Kingdom, but is still legal in the us. While some grocery stores and restaurants have stated that they do not use the additive, a sure way to know whats in your burger is by grinding your beef at home.  

                                                         

Coral Spring's BurgerFi Uses Natural Angus Beef to Create a Premium Quality Burger

BurgerFi is new to Coral Springs, and is already standing out. They use natural Angus beef for their burgers, which means:

• Cows are raised humanly, given shelter, sufficient space, and the ability to engage in natural behaviors
• The cows are given no antibiotics or hormones - allowing the cow to grow at a natural pace, resulting in a more tender meat
• Cows are vegetarian fed

You can really notice the difference this makes when you try their burgers. With your first bite you can taste how tender and marbleized the meat is. BurgerFi's menu also offers a variety of toppings for your burger - some including:

• salt & vinegar potato chips
• onion rings
• egg sunny side up
• grilled mushrooms
• chili

The variety allows you to build a different burger for almost every visit. The atmosphere is also great - its contemporary and clean, providing a pleasant dining experience. The price is a little steep though - you're going to spend anywhere from $10-$15 on your visit. The burgers also aren't the biggest, but they are definitely filling. I would say this place is worth the visit.

Location: 2716 N University Dr.
               Coral Springs, FL 33065
Phone: 954-510-8300

Healthier Burger Choices From Home When You're Watching What You Eat

When you're watching your weight or just want to start eating healthier, eating burgers may not be your first choice - but it should.

This recipe for a Mozzarella Stuffed Turkey Burger from eatingwell.com, provides a delicious unique burger that you can feel good about.

This turkey burger is served with mozzarella inside the patty and dressed in a marinara sauce. The preparation time isn't too bad but it does involve a lot of ingredients, some including:

• onions
• garlic
• tomatoes
• lemon zest
• oregano
• 1 pound of 93 percent lean turkey

But the nutritional value of this burger is pretty good when considering the amount of calories you should consume per day. This burger (per serving) has:

• 299 calories
• 15 grams of fat
• 28 grams of protein
• Vitamin C (35 percent daily value)
• Vitamin A (20 percent daily value)

This burger is a great way to enjoy your food and stay healthy, but check out other reviews of the burger and decide if its right for you.

Boca Raton's Smokey Bones Adds a Fried Egg To Create a Hearty Burger

Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill offers a variety of different BBQ items, but their Morning Glory burger stands out from the rest.

The 1/2 pound fire grilled burger could be enough to fill you up, but there's more:

• American cheese
• 3 slices of peppered bacon
• chipotle ketchup
• fried egg

The fried egg soaks into the bun, giving you a consistent great flavor with every bite. And that 1/2 burger patty is cooked to perfection - pink and juicy in the middle but with a consistency that refuses to fall apart. The menu offers many different burgers if you're not a fan of the fried egg - including their biggest sandwich to date - the Smoke Stack - with 3 half pound patties, if your feeling really hungry. The atmosphere is inviting too - Smokey Bones is a great place to enjoy a burger and a beer.

The prices are reasonable as well - their Morning Glory is $11 and the other burgers range from $10 - $20.

See what others are saying.
Location: 21733 SR 7
               Boca Raton, FL 33428
Phone: 561-852-7870

The Cheesecake Factory in Downtown Fort Lauerdale Adds a Fried Macaroni and Cheese Ball to Their Burgers for a Delicious Twist

The Cheesecake Factory's  Macaroni and Cheeseburger uses fried macaroni and cheese balls in place of the standard slice of cheese to create a rich and creamy flavor.

The other toppings of this sandwich include:

• cheddar cheese sauce
• lettuce
• tomato
• pickles
• onion
• mayo

This chorus of toppings and condiments work together to create a great tasting sandwich. The burger is cooked to your liking and comes out thick and juicy. After trying this once its safe to say that I will never again have to look through their intimidating menu.

If you decide a fried ball of macaroni and cheese doesn't belong on your burger, no worries - The Cheesecake Factory offers a variety  of great tasting burgers. Its also located in the heart of Downtown Fort Lauderdale - providing a nice dining experience.

The meals can be a bit pricey and can range from $15 - $20, but its pretty reasonable when considering the amount of food that comes on your plate. Others agree that the food and dining experience is well worth the visit.

Location: 600 E Las Olas Blvd
               Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Phone: 954-463-1999

 

Raw and Undercooked Ground Meat May Contain Harmful Bacteria

According to the USDA, raw or undercooked ground beef can contain bacteria that is harmful to the body.

It is recommended that you cook all burgers to a minimum of 160 degrees - a cooking thermometer  can easily determine the temperature of your burger.

The very young, the very old, and those who have a weakened immune system from illness should stay away from raw or undercooked meat.

The symptoms of foodborne illness are not pretty, and can include:

• diarrhea
• vomiting
• abdominal cramping
• fever

To make sure that you don't get a foodborne illness from your ground beef its important to:

• handle your raw meat carefully - bacteria from the raw meat can contaminate equipment, hands, and cooking surfaces. Make sure to wash your hands and all utensils used after handling the raw meat
• don't reuse the packaging materials
• when buying the ground beef, choose a package that is intact and cold. Also if possible, place the raw meat in a plastic bag so none of the juices leak onto other foods
• store the meat in the freezer immediately after purchasing
• cook to at least 160 degrees

The Origins of Hamburgers - From Genghis Khan to the United States

People have been eating ground meat in the shape of patties since the ancient Egyptian times.

But the burger got its start with Genghis Khan and his Mongol army. Their long journeys made it difficult to stop and cook - so they kept the patties under their saddles, allowing the constant movement to tenderize the meat.

When Genghis Khan and his army invaded Russia, they brought their meat patties with them. Russia later adopts this into their cuisine, adding raw eggs and chopped onions.

Ground beef was popular in Europe, but was used mainly to make sausages. But in the seventeenth century ships from Hamburg Germany visited Russian ports, and brought the recipe back to their country.

Later, at the end of the eighteenth century, the largest sea ports in Europe were in Germany. Many sailors who frequented these areas brought the patties back home with them and named them the "Hamburg Steak." To attract German sailors,  food stands were built along the ports in New York selling the meal.

And there you have it - a brief history of the hamburger.

McDonald's Falls Short in Taste with their Big Mac

Oh the Big Mac, where to begin . .

McDonald's introduced their Big Mac in 1968 and  hasn't changed it since. Biting into the Big Mac you taste special sauce, bread, and not much else. With paper thin patties and bread that tastes like cardboard - this classic is in need of a change.

The disappointment begins with the initial unveiling. You are promised the same burger that is pictured on the box but are crushed when you see something entirely different.  

Although their burgers don't impress me, they must be doing something right - McDonald's has sold about 247 billion since its opening in 1961.  

Regardless of the burgers disappointing appearance, I cannot deny that walking into a McDonald's makes me feel nostalgic, and their inexpensive prices (I payed $7 for my meal) and  speedy delivery means its inevitable that I go back.

Location: Almost every street corner in America . . and this one:
                    630 N University Dr
                   Coral Springs, FL 33071

Phone number: 954-344-2622



Coral Spring's Elevation Burger Uses Organic Ground Beef for Great Taste

Elevation Burger prides itself on it's use of organic, free range, grass fed beef - and it is easy to see why.

The organic beef is ground daily to give the burger a distinct flavor that tastes fresh and juicy to the very last bite. Elevation Burger is also better for you. None of their menu items contain trans fat and they commit themselves to using environmentally sustainable equipment - so you can eat a great burger and feel like you've helped the environment too.

While their burgers are great, the menu is pretty limited. They offer a few burgers that range in size, veggie burgers, and grilled cheese sandwiches. The options of sides isn't much better - they have french fries and side salads to go with your meal. They do however have a variety of toppings, ranging from ketchup to hot pepper relish. The prices are pretty reasonable though - I spent $7 on an Elevation Burger.

Regardless of some downsides, I would recommend giving Elevation Burger a shot, but check out what others are saying.

Location: 2908 N. University Dr
                                                                                                    Coral Springs FL 33065
                                                                                    Phone Number: 954-769-1999

For a Burger Your Way, Grill Them at Home

Whether you like your burgers big and juicy or small and well done - nobody can make a burger exactly as you want it better than you.

Don't be intimidated by the process, if your don't get it right the first time just try again.

I call this burger to the right the felberBOMB (out of respect to my friend who created it).

Making the burger is simple - just follow a few easy steps. 

1. Go out and buy your ground beef. Remember the right amount of fat is key - for this burger we used lean ground beef with 15 percent fat.
2. Season the meat to your liking - we seasoned ours with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
3. Shape the patties carefully. Make sure you don't squeeze them too hard to ensure great taste. Once you have them all set, place your thumb in the center and gently push down. This makes sure that the grilling bubble that forms in the center of the patty will not misshapen the burger. This will keep it cooked evenly.
4. Preheat your grill - make sure its hot before you begin cooking.
5. Start grilling. Cooking times will vary based on the grill but we grilled ours for about four minutes on each side - giving us a nice rare burger. Make sure to not push the burger down with the spatula and to only flip once. This will ensure a nice and juicy patty. A minute before the patties are done, put on your cheese. Also if you like a toasted bun now is a great time to toast them on the grill.
6. Prepare your favorite toppings and start eating.