While National Burger Month is almost over, there’s no need to say goodbye to one of the most American hand-held favorites. The James Beard Foundation’s Blended Burger Project voting starts today and we can’t think of a more delicious competition!
With society becoming more health conscious we have all become more concerned with where our meals are coming from and the waste involved with acquiring them. The Blended Burger Project was created as a way to encourage chefs to create a unique burger using a blend of beef and mushrooms. This blend increases the nutritional value of the burger as well as creates a dish that increases sustainability while improving the quality of the burger at the same time.
What is the Blend?
To be considered for the Blended Burger Project, burgers must contain at least 25% fresh, cultivated finely chopped mushrooms. Mushrooms are incredibly compatible with meat in terms of taste and texture. While being low in calories, mushrooms are surprisingly high in important nutrients like vitamin D and B, potassium and antioxidants. There is no limit as to how many mushroom varieties can be used or restrictions on the type of mushrooms that can be used.
What Arizona Restaurants are Participating in the 2017 Blended Burger Project?
There are three chefs from Arizona participating this year; two from Goodyear and one from Tucson.
Charro Steak | Tucson Temptation Burger
Charro Steak has created the Tucson Temptation burger as an homage to the Sonoran desert. The burger is a 70/30 blend of house ground grass-fed beef and locally grown Sonoran mushrooms. The burger is then topped with smoked green chiles, white cheddar, a prickly pear BBQ sauce, crispy nopalito shoe strings, local tomato and red leaf lettuce all between a locally made bun.
Eagle’s Nest | Hail Mary Blended Burger
The Eagle’s Nest has created a special burger that combines portabella, button mushrooms, roasted garlic, thyme, shallots ground with brisket, Jalapenos, garlic, bacon and mixed with ground beef. On top of the burger, they have layered a bourbon bacon jam with lettuce, house made pickles and red onion, devil dog sauce, a slice of American cheese, Havarti cheese with a brioche roll.
Toscana’s Restaurant | Toscana’s Burger
Toscana’s Restaurant has created a pan seared burger blended with 80/20 ground beef, house smoked mesquite button mushrooms, grilled tomatoes, caramelized onions, shaved lettuce, fresh watercress, apple-wood bacon, aged smoked cheddar, house-made Arizona cowboy candy and mayo served on a King’s Hawaiian bun.
Cast Your Vote and Win a Trip to New York
You can easily vote for and share your favorite burger by clicking on the links above from today through July 31st. Once you vote (and you can vote once a day until the contest ends) you will be entered to win an all expenses paid trip for two to the 2018 Blended Burger event at the James Beard House. You’d be silly not to vote, really.
The top 5 chef creations, meaning the burgers that receive the most votes, will win a trip to New York City and will be featured at an event at the James Beard House in January 2018. You’ll also be able to sample these burgers at the corresponding restaurants throughout the duration of the contest.
A contest like this can do a lot to give the winners national notoriety as well as a little extra attention to our state and culinary scene in the process. Make sure to check out the participants and vote for the one that looks the best. If you can, make time to visit the Arizona restaurants participating and try them out as well!
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© Taryn Jeffries 2017