With summer in full swing, people are planning cookouts and picnics galore. Residents of our Northridge, CA apartments are no exception. They make frequent use of the BBQ grilling area to prepare their favorite summer fare. Hamburgers are a staple of most outdoor gatherings, so when it's your turn to host the next backyard barbecue, consider these tips for grilling the perfect patty:

Choose the Right Meat

Select a cut of ground chuck that is 80/20 (80 percent lean, 20 percent fat) for a juicy burger packed with flavor. The higher the fat content, the more the burgers will shrink on the grill. On the other hand, if there is not enough fat, the burgers will be too dry.  This rule applies whether you're cooking beef or turkey.

Prepare the Meat

Add salt (1 teaspoon per pound of meat) and pepper. Mix in any other herbs and spices that you really like, then roll the meat into equal-sized balls and gently press down on them to form patties that are about 3/4-inch thick at the edges and 1/2-inch thick in the middle. Avoid over-handling the meat, as this will make the burgers tougher. Seasoning the meat and placing it in the refrigerator a few hours before you want to grill it allows all the spices to combine for optimal flavor. Keep the patties cold until you're ready to put them on the grill. Creating a “dimple” in the middle of each burger will prevent it from bulging on the coals.

Grill the Patties

Clean and oil the grill thoroughly to prevent items from sticking. Grill the patties at a steady, high heat. Flip them only once, as over-flipping will toughen the meat.  Similarly, pressing the burgers with a spatula will squeeze out the juice and flavor.  Cook the patties for 5 minutes on each side, or until they reach an internal temperature of 165°.

Enjoy!

Let the burgers cool for 10 minutes or so. Add your favorite condiments, serve up some savory sides, and dig in!

Our Northridge, CA apartments feature a lounge area and other outdoor spaces for entertaining friends. Contact our office to learn more about available floor plans and amenities.

The post How to Make the Perfect Burger appeared first on Candlewood North Blog.

Grab Your Dough 

Starting with about a pound of dough, you can use a cookie sheet to shape it into a rectangle. Your pizza dough should be at room temperature and your dough should be separated from the sheet by a thin layer of flour. You can also use premade pizza dough, by Boboli, for example. It makes the process go a little faster, and you can still get a nice char on it. 

Turn up the Heat 

The heat of the grill should be turned up, so the pizza dough can cook quickly. You can distribute vegetable oil over the grates using a paper towel and tongs before sliding the dough directly onto the grates. Once the grill has reached peak temperature, you only need to close the grill and leave it alone two to three minutes.

Finishing it Up 

Once your crust has reached a light-brown color on the bottom, it's ready to be turned over. You'll have to work quickly to spread olive oil and toppings onto the pizza because it will only need around two to three minutes to brown on that side too. If the crust has already browned but you still need more time to melt the cheese and cook the toppings, you can lower the heat and cook for an extra two minutes. 

Living in our Northridge apartments is just more fun when you can treat yourself and your friends to a homemade pie every once in a while. Mastering this recipe may even make you throw all your pizza-delivery pamphlets and flyers away. If you're looking for an apartment community that can give you the cooking amenities you need to improve your lifestyle, give Candlewood North a call! Our floor plans are just what you need to step up your game! Give us a call or stop by our office to learn more!

The post How to Grill Your Own Pizza This Summer appeared first on Candlewood North Blog.