Food Safety: Yummy Summer Burgers

( News Canada) - Looking for a quick and easy way to liven up your burgers this summer? Here are two terrific recipes you can try on the barbecue. And safe? You bet, says Health Canada, as long as you cook the centre of your burger to a temperature of 71°C (160°F). Use a digital food thermometer to make sure the burgers are completely cooked. Both recipes are adapted from the  Beef Information Centre.

Mexi-Grill Burgers

• 500 g (1 lb) lean ground beef
• 75 mL (1/3 cup) salsa
• 50 mL (1/4 cup) dry bread crumbs or small flake oatmeal
• 1 egg, beaten
• 5 mL (1 tsp) chili powder
• 2 mL (1/2 tsp) mustard powder
• 4 large flour tortillas or onion buns
• Sliced onions
• Shredded Cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
• Corn relish

In large bowl, lightly combine ground beef, salsa, bread crumbs, egg, chili powder, and mustard powder. Shape into 4 patties, each about 1.5 cm (1/2") thick. Preheat barbecue. Cook patties on lightly oiled grill, over medium-high heat, 5-7 minutes per side, turning only once. When patties are almost done, remove from heat and insert a digital food thermometer sideways into the centre of the burger. If the temperature registers at least 71°C (160°F), the burger is done, if not, continue cooking until a minimum temperature of 71°C (160°F) is reached. Serve each burger in a flour tortilla; and top with onions, cheese and relish. Makes 4 servings.

Greek Burgers

• 500 g (1 lb) lean ground beef
• 50 mL (1/4 cup) dry bread crumbs or small flake oatmeal
• 1 egg, beaten
• 15 mL (1 Tbsp) dried oregano leaves
• 5 mL (1 tsp) each garlic powder and crushed dried rosemary
• 2 pitas (20 cm/8" size), halved or 4 hamburger buns
• Crumbled feta cheese
• Sliced black olives
• Chopped red onions, cucumbers and tomatoes
• Tzatziki sauce

In large bowl, lightly combine ground beef, bread crumbs, egg, oregano, garlic powder and rosemary. Shape into 4 patties, each about 1.5 cm (1/2") thick. Preheat barbecue. Cook patties on lightly oiled grill over medium-high heat 5-7 minutes per side, turning only once. When patties are almost done, remove from heat and insert a digital food thermometer sideways into the centre of the burger. If the temperature registers at least 71°C (160°F), the burger is done; if not, continue cooking until a minimum temperature of 71°C (160°F) is reached. Serve each burger in pita pocket half and top with cheese, olives, onions, cucumber, tomatoes and sauce. Makes 4 servings.