The 1958 cookbook, 365 Ways to Cook Hamburger, offers just that — 365 different recipes with hamburger as the main ingredient.
The preface notes the broiled or fried hamburger sandwich in a bun made its first appearance in North America in 1903-1904 at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition. That same fair also offered hot dogs and ice cream cones.
The hamburger bun sandwich caught on and is now a mainstay of most fast food and sit-down family restaurants.
This week’s recipes come from the 1958 cookbook.
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Hamburger Spaghetti Goulash
6 strips bacon
2 lbs. hamburger
3/4 cup chopped onion
3 1/2 cups canned tomatoes
1/2 tsp. chili powder
1/4 tsp. sage
1/2 cup chopped green pepper
1-2 oz. can mushrooms
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 lb. spaghetti
Chop bacon into pieces then fry until slightly crisp. Remove bacon then cook hamburger in same pan until meat is cooked. Return bacon pieces. Add all other ingredients except spaghetti. Reduce heat and allow mixture to slowly simmer.
Cook spaghetti according to package directions. Add to meat sauce mixture. Simmer another 30 minutes. Top with grated parmesan cheese. Serves eight.
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Hamburger, Bean & Sausage Casserole
1 lb. white beans
4 cups water
2 cans beef bouillon
2 cups chopped onion
3 tbsps. butter
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1/2 tsp. thyme
1/2 tsp. majoram
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/2 tsp. oregano
1/2 lb. sausage meat
1/2 lb. hamburger
2 1/2 cups cooked tomatoes
Soak the beans in water overnight. In the morning, drain the beans, saving the water and add to it to make 4 cups of water. Place the beans and water in a heavy 4 qt. kettle. Add the beef bouillon. Simmer.
Saute the chopped onions in 3 tbsps. butter and add to the simmering beans. Also add seasonings.
Saute the sausage and hamburger meat in the same skillet used for the onions. Add the meat to the beans and mix well.
Place in a large casserole and bake at 350 degrees F for 90 minutes. Then add the tomatoes and continue baking another 30 minutes or until beans are tender. Stir occasionally. Serves six.
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Ranch Stew
1 lb. hamburger
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup chopped green pepper
1 large can kernel corn and juice
1 can kidney beans
1 can diced tomatoes
1 1/4 tsps. chili powder
1 tsp. salt
Saute hamburger with onion and green pepper until meat is cooked through. Crumble as it cooks. Add all other ingredients and bring to a boil. Simmer for 10-15 minutes before serving. Makes six servings.
Joyce Walter can be reached at ronjoy@sasktel.net
