Jack-o'-Lantern Burgers

These burgers are fun, festive and tasty. Adding the onion soup mix is one of my favorite stand-by burger ingredients but the horseradish and chili powder really gives this burger a kick!

Ingredients:

• 1 envelope onion soup mix
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons prepared horseradish
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 2-1/2 pounds ground beef
• 10 slices process American cheese
• 10 hamburger buns, split

Directions:

In a large bowl, combine soup mix, ketchup, brown sugar, horseradish and chili powder. Crumble beef over mixture; mix well. Shape into 10 patties. Grill, broil or pan-fry until the meat is no longer pink.
Cut eyes, nose and mouth out of each cheese slice to create a jack-o'-lantern. Place cheese on burgers; cook until cheese is slightly melted, about 1 minute. Serve on buns.
Yield: 10 servings.

Halloween Hamburgers

Two of my many favorite things together - Halloween and Hamburgers! This fun idea works well for meat lovers and also vegetarians.

INGREDIENTS:
For 6 burgers

1-1/2 pounds ground beef
(you could also use veggie burgers)
6 slices cheese
red or green bell peppers
pitted olives
6 lettuce leaves
6 hamburger buns, split

DIRECTIONS:

Cut cheese, olives and bell peppers into desired shapes. A metal cookie cutter works well for the cheese. If you find it sticks, coat the cutter with vegetable oil first.

Lightly shape ground beef into six 1/2"-thick patties (or 4 larger patties). Choose a cooking method.

To broil, place patties on rack in broiler pan so surface of beef is 3 to 4" from heat. Broil 10 to 12 minutes or until centers are no longer pink, turning once.

To panbroil, place patties in preheated nonstick skillet over medium heat. Cook 10 to 12 minutes or until centers are no longer pink, turning once.

Season with salt and pepper, if desired, after turning. During last few minutes of cooking, top with cheese, bell peppers and olives to make faces. Serve in lettuce-lined buns.