The burger is always with us - steadfast,
reliable and duller than dull. Transforming dull into dazzling, Build
a Better Burger, by James McNair offers 44 recipes that turn burgers
into a gourmet treat. These are no ordinary burgers; they are products
of the creative imagination.
In celebration of this American
icon, the Sutter Home Family Vineyards sponsors an annual Build a Better
Burger National Cook-off which is judged by culinary professionals of
the stature of Thomas Keller and Marion Cunningham, to name but two.
Every summer both amateurs and professionals gather in Napa Valley for
this competition. James McNair, author of Build a Better Burger,
has headed both the regional selection process and the cook-off judging
since the start of the contest in 1990. He is now the chairman of the
national contest.
Build a Better Burger is
a compilation of the winning recipes from the cook-off since its beginning.
The recipes are definitive proof that when burgers are involved there's
no limit to our creativity. Among the recipes are Tuscan Burgers Bruschetta,
Hawaiian Tuna Burgers with Maui Wowee Salsa, Casablanca Burgers with
Citrus-Olive Relish, San Francisco Cioppino Burgers, Mulligatawny Burgers.
The burger is global now, reflecting our discovery of new combinations
of flavors.
McNair offers a brief and entertaining
history of the burger from the days of its beginning as "steak
cooked in the Hamburg Style," to its widespread, fast-food status
as the easiest meal available. But these are not fast-food burgers,
these are imaginative, creative uses of lamb, pork, fish, poultry, even
of buffalo and beans. There are no boundaries here, and the recipes
inspired us to head to the back yard, gather a large crowd and taste
every variety.
The book has solid advice on how
to build a better burger. There is a list, with accompanying photos,
of all prize winners who come from every part of the United States.
If you are interested in entering the competition yourself, McNair provides
the guidelines for success. Mouthwatering photos by Noel Barnhurst accompany
the text.
About
the author: In addition to his duties with the contest, James
McNair is the author of more than 40 cookbooks and has received an Award
of Excellence from the International Association of Culinary Professionals.
McNair also teaches cooking classes and gives culinary lectures around
the country, and has appeared on many national and local television
shows. He lives in Napa Valley.
Mr. McNair has kindly shared these
recipes:
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