'Souper' Burger Soup

     Ever wonder what to do with those leftover hamburgers from cookouts and family gatherings?  As much as I love leftovers there aren't many ways you can render a cold, hard burger appetizing again. Not only does this fun and funky recipe from Mr. Food find an ingenious way to recycle those day old hamburgers but the buns as well.  If you don't have the leftovers, brown a pound of ground beef in your dutch oven before adding the rest of the ingredients.  You will be delighted by the aroma of a freshly cooked burger emanating from your oven.  The bread acts as a thickener (think dumplings), dissolving into the broth and the mustard, ketchup, and relish add just the right amount of flavor. This cooked in 25 minutes over a full compliment of coals on the bottom and about 18-20 on top.  Be adventurous, throw in a couple of sliced hot dogs too.  Think twice before you toss out those unclaimed burgers or feed them to the dog, instead treat yourself to a bowl of this surprisingly satisfying and tasty soup.

'Souper' Burger Soup
4 (1/4 pound) cold cooked hamburgers, broken into large chunks or 1 lb. of ground beef
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
3 cups beef broth
1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
1 medium-sized onion, chopped
1/4 cup sweet relish
2 tablespoons ketchup
1 tablespoon prepared yellow mustard
2-3 hamburger buns, torn or cut into 2 inch pieces

     Lightly oil or spray a 10 or 12 inch dutch oven.
     If you don't have any leftover hamburgers, brown ground beef and onion together over a full spread of coals.  Drain.
     Combine rest of ingredients, except buns.  Cover, adding as many coals on the lid that you need to bring the soup to a bubble.  Simmer for 20-25 minutes.
     Add the buns and cook for an additional 8-10 minutes, stirring frequently, or until the bread dissolves and the soup thickens.  Serves 4-6. 

Tear rolls into 2 inch pieces and stir into simmering broth

Bread cooks into and thickens soup

A hamburger in a bowl