Easy and Delicious Recipes

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How to Make Chicken Minis

How to Make Chicken Minis

Hello, it’s me, Sarah, from Cooking Frog. Today I’m going to share How to Make Chicken Minis just like Chick-fil-A makes them. Is bigger better? That does not seem to be true anymore. I mean, just look at the hamburger industry. Sliders, popularly referred to Read More

Low-Carb Turkish Borek

Low-Carb Turkish Borek

Is it possible to make low-carb Turkish Borek? Yes! This Turkish meal is one of my favorites. You can find a good traditional Borek in Turkey, Middle Eastern countries, and a few other European countries, like Bosnia and Serbia. So, I’ve decided to share this Read More

Low Carb Donuts Glazed With Maple

Low Carb Donuts Glazed With Maple

This Low Carb Donuts Glazed With Maple recipe is so EASY. Baked keto maple glazed pumpkin donuts are excellent for fall! The delicious grain-free donut foundation is a tender pumpkin cake made with the ideal quantity of vanilla and pumpkin pie spices. You may use ready-made or even create your own pumpkin pie spice mix!

Low Carb Donuts Glaze

What about the glaze? Well, it is perfectly glossy and sugar-free. We are using maple flavoring, so there is no need for sugary maple syrup to have that yummy maple flavor we all love so much.

It is not overly sweet like the traditional donut icing you might be used to, but you can always add a few tablespoons of powdered low-carb sweetener or a couple of drops of stevia or monk fruit if you like your icing really sweet. If you don’t need the icing to be overly sweet, you can skip the sweetener entirely and be left with a subtle sweetness from a coconut.

Low Carb Donuts Glazed With Maple Recipe

Ingredients

For the Donuts:

  1. Almond flour – 1 and 1/2 cups (15.3 oz)
  2. Granulated Swerve or Erythritol – 1/2 cup (3.5 oz)
  3. Pumpkin pie spice – 1 tbsp (0.2 oz)
  4. Fermented coconut powder – 2 tsp
  5. Vanilla extract or vanilla bean powder – 1 tsp or 1/4 tsp
  6. Sea salt – 1/4 tsp
  7. Large eggs – 3
  8. Unsweetened pumpkin puree – 1/4 cup (1.8 oz)

For Maple Glaze:

  1. Coconut cream – 1/4 cup (2.1 oz)
  2. Confectioners Swerve or powdered Erythritol – 3 tbsp (1.1 oz)
  3. Coconut butter or blanched almond butter – 2 tbsp (1.1 oz)
  4. Virgin coconut oil – 1 tbsp
  5. Sugar-free maple extract – 2 tsp

For Pumpkin Pie Spice Mix (optional if you don’t have ready-made):

  1. Cinnamon – 1/4 cup (1.1 oz)
  2. Ginger – 2 tbsp (0.4 oz)
  3. Nutmeg – 2 tsp (0.2 oz)
  4. Ground cloves – 1 tsp
  5. Allspice – 1 tsp

Instructions

  1. Preheat the Oven:

    • Set your oven to 350°F (170°C) for conventional ovens or 310°F (155°C) if fan-assisted.
    • Grease a donut pan well.
  2. Make the Donut Batter:

    • In a large bowl, combine all the donut ingredients.
    • Mix them until well combined.
  3. Fill the Donut Pan:

    • Pour the batter into a piping bag.
    • Pipe the batter evenly into the donut molds.
  4. Bake the Donuts:

    • Place the pan in the oven.
    • Bake for 15-20 minutes.
    • Check if they are done by inserting a toothpick into a donut; it should come out clean.
  5. Prepare the Maple Glaze:

    • In a small vessel, combine all the glaze ingredients.
    • Microwave for about 30 seconds or until the mixture is smooth.
  6. Glaze the Donuts:

    • Dip each baked donut into the glaze.
    • Ensure each donut is evenly coated.
  7. Storing:

    • Store the glazed donuts in an airtight container.
    • They can be kept in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Enjoy your homemade Low Carb Donuts Glazed With Maple, and share the image below to your Pinterest board to save it for later!

Low Carb Donuts Glazed With Maple

Nutrition

Total per donut
5.4 g carbs
9.3 g protein
24.3 g fat
282 kcal

How to Make Beef Bulgogi Kimbap

How to Make Beef Bulgogi Kimbap

Today, I’m going to share with you how to make Beef Bulgogi Kimbap, the Korean version of Japanese “maki,” or rice rolls. This fantastic taste comes from sesame oil and independently seasoned meats and veggies. What is Bulgogi Kimbap? Kimbap is a Korean Seaweed Rice Read More

Beef Liver Pate Recipe

Beef Liver Pate Recipe

This rich and creamy beef liver pâté is a nutrient-packed spread with a smooth, velvety texture and savory, aromatic flavors. Perfect as an appetizer on crusty bread, crackers, or cucumber slices, it’s also easy to make ahead for snacks or elegant entertaining. Ingredients ½ cup Read More

Best Gourmet Burger Blend

Best Gourmet Burger Blend

If you’ve ever wondered what makes the perfect gourmet burger, the secret isn’t in the toppings — it’s in the blend. The protein-to-fat ratio, the cuts you choose, and the freshness of the grind all work together to create that juicy, flavorful burger you can’t stop thinking about.

I’m Sarah from Cooking Frog Recipes, and today we’re diving into the art of building the perfect patty. Whether you’re grilling for a summer cookout, hosting game day, or just craving a next-level burger, mastering your blend will make every bite unforgettable.

From the classic 80/20 chuck grind to creative mixes with brisket, rib, or sirloin, the possibilities are endless. The right combination gives you the tenderness, juiciness, and depth of flavor that take your burgers from ordinary to gourmet — no fancy restaurant required.

Ready to start grinding and blending like a pro? Let’s break down the best cuts of beef and how to combine them for the ultimate burger experience.

Best Gourmet Burger Blend

 

Building Your Own Burger Blend

Here’s a guide to the most popular beef cuts for grinding, their typical fat ratios, and the flavor they bring to your patties.


Chuck (80/20)

The gold standard of burger blends. When butchers talk about “hamburger,” they’re talking chuck. It’s a classic, well-balanced cut that produces a juicy, beefy burger without being overly greasy.

  • Pro Tip: Look for slabs labeled chuck pot roast and grind it fresh for unbeatable flavor.


Brisket (70/30)

Rich, flavorful, and a little rustic. Brisket adds a deep, beefy note and plenty of fat, giving your burger that melt-in-your-mouth texture with a hint of smokiness.

  • Best for: Blending with leaner cuts like round or flank for balance.


Rib (70/30)

Cuts like ribeye cap, flanken, or beef rib bring a luxurious, rich flavor and incredible tenderness to a burger. The high fat content creates a juicy, decadent bite.

  • Best for: Indulgent blends for special occasions.


Beef Plate (90/10)

Taken from the section just beneath the ribs, this cut yields skirt and hanger steaks. It’s leaner but packed with tangy, buttery flavor, perfect for a more sophisticated burger experience.

  • Best for: Blends that need an extra layer of complex flavor.


Short Loin (85/15)

If you’re feeling extravagant, try using a dry-aged New York strip from the short loin. The dry aging develops a rich, umami-packed profile you can’t get anywhere else.

  • Best for: Splurge-worthy burgers when you want to impress.


Flank (93/7)

Flank steak is lean but flavorful, with a beefy depth that works well when combined with fattier cuts. It’s a great way to add complexity without adding heaviness.

  • Best for: Blends where you want a cleaner, meat-forward taste.


Sirloin (85/15)

Sirloin varies widely depending on the section, but bottom sirloin is the sweet spot for burgers. It’s well-marbled and full of flavor, especially cuts like flap meat (steak tips) on the East Coast or tri-tip on the West Coast.

  • Best for: Everyday blends with a balance of flavor and tenderness.


Round (93/7)

Round cuts like top round, bottom round, or eye round are lean and affordable. They’re ideal when you need to adjust the fat content of a blend without changing the flavor profile too much.

  • Best for: Balancing fattier cuts like brisket or rib.


Shank (96/4)

Shank comes from the lower leg (hind or fore shank) and is beefy and gelatinous, though tough. A small amount added to your grind will melt into the patty, creating a tender, juicy bite with incredible depth.

  • Best for: Blends that need richness — just pair with a fattier cut to maintain balance.


Oxtail (85/15)

A bold choice that brings gelatinous, rich beefiness to your burger blend. It’s inexpensive, high in fat, and loaded with flavor. Oxtail requires more prep but rewards you with a burger that’s anything but ordinary.

  • Best for: Creative blends when you want to experiment with something unique.


Pro Tips for Grinding Beef

  • Chill everything: Cold meat and grinder parts make a cleaner grind and better texture.

  • Grind twice: For the best texture, grind coarse first, then medium.

  • Mix gently: Overmixing compacts the meat and leads to dense patties.

  • Cook with care: Handle patties gently and never press down on them while cooking — you’ll lose all the juices.

Create Your Own Signature Burger Mix

Once you’ve nailed the perfect grind, don’t be afraid to get creative with flavors. Mixing in a few simple ingredients can take your burger patties in a completely new direction. Here are some ideas to inspire your next cookout:

  • Thai-Inspired: Add a splash of soy sauce, minced garlic, creamy peanut butter, and a squeeze of lime juice for a savory-sweet patty with a subtle tang.

  • Fresh and Zesty: Mix in chopped cilantro, diced peppers, tomatoes, and onions for a bright, garden-fresh burger.

  • Breakfast-Style: Fold in shredded cheese, a beaten egg, and crumbled bacon for a rich, hearty twist.

  • Pizza Burger: Combine shredded mozzarella, marinara sauce, and diced pepperoni for a pizza-inspired patty. Sautéed mushrooms and onions make perfect optional add-ons.

The Best Burger Patty Mixtures

Best Gourmet Burger Blend

 

What can you add into hamburger meat? Any ingredient that is wet enough to withstand some cook moment on high heat. Examples of items that won’t work: dry ingredients such as dried herbs or floor peanuts. These may top a burger, but they tend to form of incinerate, eliminate flavor or break up the patty when you attempt to cook them in with it. All these mix-ins may also use ground turkey and other beef substitutes, and can really enhance their flavors.

Ingredients for burger mixtures

gourmet burger

1. Eggs

Adding An egg to every pound of beef improves both the consistency and the flavor and keeps it from falling apart on the grill.

2. Bacon

Mix some chopped, uncooked bacon in along with your ground beef, create your patties and grill or stir it up together.

3. Onions

Instead of adding onions to the hamburger after it’s cooked, it is possible to chop them up and mix them into the patty. This also has the benefit of cooking the onions, which reduces any rankness. The best gourmet burgers are made with onions.

4. Breadcrumbs

Since your hamburger’s going to be served on a bun, bread wedges don’t add much to the flavor department. Their real function is to put a bit of dryness to your beef mixture, which can be excellent when it’s paired with a moist ingredient. It’s also helpful as an extender.

5. Worcestershire sauce

This Classic sauce adds a great tang to beef and increases the juiciness level, also. If you discover it is making your patties too wet to stick together well, throw in some bread crumbs.

6. Garlic

Chopped fresh garlic kneaded into steak patties is superb. You can also just sprinkle garlic powder with your meat to get a number of that garlic taste.

7. Cheese

Grate Some cheese — any kind you like — and then knead that into your own burger patties. The cheese and the beef compliment each other when they cook, and you know how great beef and cheese taste together.

8. A.1. Sauce

Naturally, A-1 sauce is great added to burger patties. Its texture is similar to that of barbecue sauce, and it becomes more subtle when used this way instead of being pumped across the patty later.

9. Peppers

Chop up bell or jalapeno peppers and Work them into your patties. Habaneros or poblanos will provide you a great deal of spice in each bite. Ortegas and bells could include a wonderful mild flavor.

10. Soy sauce

Do not waste your time with normal soy sauce. Eden Organic is traditionally brewed and obsolete, and that gives it a more full-bodied flavor than other brands. It’s wonderfully salty and mellow.

11. Peanut butter for burger mixture

Yes, I am serious! Think beef satay — peanut butter provides a salty-sweet flavor to the beef. This is great, topped with diced green onions and a piece of pineapple.

12. Carrots

Shred some carrots and combine those with your hamburger mix. This makes for an odd but fascinating sweet flavor that most folks either love or despise. If you’re a carrot enthusiast, give it a try.

13. Hot sauce for burger mixture

Tabasco and similar sauces (my favorite is Tapatio) add a delicious touch to hamburger patties.

14. Sun-dried tomatoes

Sun-dried tomatoes hold up nicely under cooking and provide your burgers a slightly sweet, acidic flavor.

15. Sour Cream

Mix in some sour cream to present your burgers with a richer taste with a slight tang.

16. Barbecue sauce

Whether you use a classic family recipe or store-bought, the skillet cooks wonderfully into hamburger and becomes merely another note in the total taste. It’s very different from incorporating barbecue sauce into the burger after it is cooked.

Also, if you have problems with allergies from eggs, or you don’t want to use breadcrumbs in your mixture, you can find a recipe for an egg-free burger here.

Honey Glazed Salmon with Apple Cider

Honey Glazed Salmon with Apple Cider

Honey Glazed Salmon Recipe with the addition of apple cider for a delicious caramelized taste. These salmon fillets are cooked in a great combination of honey and apple cider glaze on the stovetop and then served over fresh wilted spinach. A lovely way to prepare Read More

Fried Apple Cider Glazed Donut Holes

Fried Apple Cider Glazed Donut Holes

Fried Apple Cider Glazed Donut Holes will tickle your taste buds with the flavors of autumn. A touch of sweetness, as well as the hot spices of apple cider, create these donut holes that the ideal morning treat to consume with a cup of steaming Read More

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread with Vegan Version

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread with Vegan Version

This Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread is soft, moist, and loaded with cozy autumn flavors — made with smooth pumpkin purée, warm spices, and melty chocolate chips. Perfect for an afternoon snack with coffee or tea!

I’ll admit it — I was a late bloomer when it comes to loving pumpkin. Growing up, my mom wasn’t a fan, so my only exposure was those store-bought pumpkin pies in crinkly aluminum tins, topped with a half-frozen dollop of Cool Whip. Not exactly the best first impression!

It wasn’t until years later, right around the time pumpkin spice lattes became a thing, that I gave pumpkin another chance. By then, I had already started baking, and pumpkin quickly became one of my favorite ingredients to experiment with.

Now, instead of overly sweet pies, I gravitate toward wholesome, bakery-style pumpkin treats — like this chocolate chip pumpkin bread. It’s rich, satisfying, and easy to adapt with a vegan option if you prefer. Either way, it’s guaranteed to make your kitchen smell like fall.

Ingredients

For the Topping

  • 3 Tbsp granulated sugar

  • ½ tsp ground cinnamon

For the Bread

  • 2 cups (280 g) all-purpose flour

  • 2 ¼ tsp baking powder

  • ¾ tsp kosher salt

  • ½ tsp ground cinnamon

  • 1 cup (244 g) pumpkin purée

  • 1 ¼ cups (250 g) granulated sugar

  • 2 large eggs or 2 Tbsp chia seeds + 6 Tbsp water (for vegan version)

  • ½ cup (125 ml) whole milk (or unsweetened almond milk for vegan version)

  • ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, melted (or coconut oil for vegan version)

  • 2 tsp vanilla extract

  • ½ cup mini chocolate chips (plus more for topping — use vegan chocolate chips if needed)


Instructions

1. Prepare the oven and pan

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).

  • Grease or spray a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan with non-stick spray or line with parchment paper for easier removal.

2. Mix the topping

  • In a small bowl, combine the 3 Tbsp sugar and ½ tsp cinnamon. Set aside.

3. Mix the dry ingredients

  • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon until well combined.

4. Make the wet mixture

  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the pumpkin purée, sugar, eggs (or chia mixture), milk (or almond milk), melted butter (or coconut oil), and vanilla until smooth.

5. Combine wet and dry ingredients

  • Pour the wet mixture into the dry mixture.

  • Gently fold until just combined — do not overmix.

  • Fold in the mini chocolate chips.

6. Fill the pan

  • Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan.

  • Tap the pan a couple of times on the counter to remove air bubbles.

  • Smooth the top with a spatula and sprinkle with the cinnamon-sugar topping and a few extra chocolate chips.

7. Bake

  • Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean (a few crumbs are fine).

  • Let the bread cool in the pan on a wire rack for 20 minutes, then carefully remove and allow to cool completely before slicing.

8. Store

  • Wrap leftovers in plastic wrap or foil and store at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 3 months.

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread

Top 10 Mexican Recipes

Top 10 Mexican Recipes

Certainly one of my favorite foods is Mexican. Therefore here are the Top 10 Mexican Recipes that are easy to make. Ranging from drinks to appetizers, to tacos and everything in between to inspire you as you assembled your Cinco de Mayo party menu. Discuss Read More