Vikings voluntary OTAs start today

[StickierBuns]

"The Minnesota Vikings will have their voluntary Organized Team Activities (OTAs) from May 27-28, May 30, June 2-3, June 5, June 9-10, and June 12. Additionally, they will have mandatory minicamp from June 16-18th."

It'll be good to see some of the team together out there as we soon hit a dry spell for sports in mid June to mid July. Having a really hot start to summer down here in south Florida....Travis Kelce/Taylor Swift just bought a house in a place right next to where I live in Boca called Royal Palm, so that's been the talk around the 'hood. They ate at a place in West Palm called Harry's the other day. I'm sure Travis and I will be kicking it soon, I'll post pics. BTW, we had a mini discussion here a few weeks ago on smash burgers: just had the BEST one I've ever had at a place yesterday in Delray Beach called Avalon Beach House. Unreal. Potato bun seared with butter/salt and a double stack of melty goodness with cooked down sweet caramelized onions. Holy shit, so good.

[MaroonBells]

I like my onions fresh, cool and crispy, but that burger sounds good. Making smash burgers for a group of us later today in fact. 

This is the time of year when it seems like they're in training camp because there are so many OTAs between now and the middle of June. We also have the June 1st contracts that could make some noise.

[JimmyinSD]

I like my onions fresh, cool and crispy, but that burger sounds good. Making smash burgers for a group of us later today in fact. 

This is the time of year when it seems like they're in training camp because there are so many OTAs between now and the middle of June. We also have the June 1st contracts that could make some noise.

Thin sliced raw onion on a hot smoked turkey Sammy with just a little touch of a spicy sauce....mmmm

[purplefaithful]

Had smash burgers with grilled onions at my aunts house last night...

If I were buying a grill again soon? I would have to strongly consider one of those big asz griddle tops.

I'm cool with a bit of sports down-time for a while...We've got so much going on right now that we need to wrestle down in real life.

[Montana Tom]

We've got friends coming over for a Memorial Day BBQ late this afternoon. I offered to smoke up some baby back ribs, and he said "no...how about just burgers?" So I've got everything ready for smashburgers here today. These delicious simple wonders fly in the face of how everyone I knew made burgers, where the thicker all meat, the better. In hindsight: dry, and very little flavor. Yuck. I knew there had to be a better way.
While for decades I made what amounted to a well seasoned "meat loaf" ingredient burger, these smashburgers are faster and simpler to make.

There are several keys for perfect smashburgers (with the "why"...always important for inquiring minds like mine), I learned from Dr. Google:

Higher beef fat is better. Lean beef, is simply not going to be as flavorful, and where the tallow is in the grind, allows it to melt and those small "holes" in the burger will also carmelize and make that flavorful crust.
If you can be picky about your meat, they recommend chuck burger, only ground once, instead of twice.
Cast iron pan or flat griddle is best. DO NOT PUT ON A GRILL...the fat dripping through the grill can create an uneven fire, uneven cooking. Also, its best that they cook in their own fat/grease for better flavor. (I have those copper Yoshi pads that I can put on the grill...it should have the same effect...it does that with all other cuts of meat)
Smash a round ball with a steel spatula as hard as you can, make it as thin as you can.
Recommended seasoning: salt and pepper only (I cheat here...a splash of Worcestershire and a dust of Mesquite seasoning with some garlic)
Thinner patties cook faster...don't go grabbing a cold beer from the cooler and forget your burgers.
The effect of all the above tends to create a more carmelized flavor with an uneven "crust" that smacks of good beef flavor.
Two of these thin patties with carmelized Vidalia sweet onions and sliced mushrooms, with some melted swiss cheese on an onion bun...

HEAVEN!

[StickierBuns]

The Purple Persuasion
@TPPSkol
·
46m
The Vikings will begins OTA’s today with JJ McCarthy as QB1.

Today’s practice will be closed to the media, tomorrow’s session will be open.

Who’s ready for football?

[MAD GAINZ]

Looking forward to the constant dissection of his every throw from here until the end of the season... :-D

[StickierBuns]

Looking forward to the constant dissection of his every throw from here until the end of the season...  :-D

lol, truth! Just over 3 months to the bullets are live.

[purplefaithful]

The lights are bright and searing as well...

GL young Jedi!

[StickierBuns]

The lights are bright and searing as well...

GL young Jedi!