Barbecue Inspiration: The Slider, Articles, living

Barbecue Inspiration: The Slider

by Marie-Andrée Guimont
published June 07, 2012

rating: (123 Ratings)

The art of spicing up the grill

Barbecue season has arrived! Any time is right to fire up the grill, especially when you use a little creative flair. Our suggestion for what’s hot right now: the slider (a.k.a. the mini-burger), perfect for every occasion. For some tips and ideas before we dove in, we spoke with Martin Patenaude, chef at President’s Choice Cooking Schools.

First, portion size

Figure on 2-3 sliders per guest if you’re serving them as an appetizer, and 3-6 as the main course.

You’ll need about 70g of meat for each patty, whereas a traditional hamburger is about 150g.

Next, toppings

Classic style: iceberg lettuce, slices of fresh tomato, chopped onion, fried bacon and any cheese you’d like.

Bold options: arugula, applewood bacon, grilled eggplant, smoke sauce and corn relish.

Healthy choices: veggies grilled on the barbecue (eggplant, peppers, fennel, mushrooms).

A vegetarian treat

In a food processor, combine canned legumes (which have been rinsed and drained), breadcrumbs, herbs and an egg. Shape the mixture into patties, grill them and serve with a caramelized onion relish.

If you’re pressed for time, try salmon burgers. They’re an easy way to integrate fish into your diet.

A gluten-free solution

Serve the sliders on a leaf of Boston lettuce. “Surprising,” chef Patenaude promises.

President’s Choice essentials for the grill master in the know:

1. PC Medium Cheddar Cheese Mini Slices, $4.99.

2. PC Smoky Ketchup-Style Sauce, $2.50.

3. PC Caramelized Onion Relish, $2.50.

4. PC Blue Menu Thick & Juicy Wild Pacific Pink Salmon Burgers, $9.99.

5. PC Slider Thins Multigrain Mini Buns, $2.99.

To find a grocery store, click here.

Tag(s): living, food, barbecue, summer, President's Choice