Yay it’s 4th of July! That fabulous, summer crash-course of a holiday where we can forget our troubles and remember how great it is to live in this amazing country. A country “of the people, by the people, for the people”. A country free from corrupt government, a country whose civil liberties are still intact and, um… well…

At least we still got burgers.

Political gripes aside, I truly love the 4th of July.  I believe in what our country was FOUNDED on and with such a secular holiday hopefully it’s easy for everyone of us to remember just what those “self evident” truths are. Once all that serious stuff is out of the way it’s a thrill to get outside and enjoy a heart stopping, finger-licking summer feast. Sitting on a blanket and eating homemade cole slaw with your family next to a pack of beer drinking 20-somethings may not seem like much of a connection but dangit, we’re all Americans. And we can all agree that eating during this weekend is one hell of a good time.

Because in honor of a day designed to reflect on our freedom, we can of course be a little bit looser, a bit freer of course, when it comes to what we eat. Therefore, behold the Butter Burger.

I think I first heard about this technique from Paula Deen, a down-home, Southern-binging, food-lusting celebrity chef who goes cross eyed when she tries her own pies. Whooo doggie mama! She knows how to enjoy her food. Something about her is quintessentially American to me and I love watching her faint over a good, home cooked meal. Anyone that puts butter in a burger patty is someone I want to listen to.

So whether you’re going to the park with a pack of beer and a frisbee, or driving up the coast to see some fireworks, if grilling is going to be a part of your weekend this is a great recipe to try. I think I’ll top mine with an extra wedge of herb cheese from The Cheese Store in Silverlake or the Artisan Cheese Gallery in Studio City.

We’re still free enough to do what we want so take a moment to enjoy it. Dig your feet deep into that sand, stare up at the open sky laced with drifting smoke, lay back on the grass next to your dog in the flag bandana, and take a deep breathe. This is your country.

And you can’t really get up anyway because, let’s face it, you just ate a butter burger. God Bless America.

Butter Burger:

• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 1/2 pounds ground beef or ground chuck
• 4 tablespoons butter, cut into small cubes
• 4 ounces American cheese, cut into 6 portions

Salt and pepper the beef, to taste. Mix beef and cubed butter together with your hands and form 6 balls. Push a piece of American cheese into the center of each ball. Mold ground beef around the cheese in the shape of a patty. Cook on hot grill or in skillet to desired doneness.

For additional butter-burger details and general grilling tips and treasures, make sure to check out The Meatwave, a glossy, happy blog about grilling in New York.

photos by jcolman and joshbousel

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