(Family Features) Dinner in many households means foolproof recipes that families can count on, but those can become bland and boring. Finding new ways to put a twist on meals throughout the week adds fun to time spent in the kitchen while bringing new flavor to the table.
To help reinvigorate traditional weeknight dinners, chef Bobby Flay and Hidden Valley Ranch created the three-part Hidden Valley Ranch Night! series to debut dishes that bring bold flavor to traditional meals, such as these recipes for Ranch Crusted Burgers with Avocado Ranch Sauce and Ranch Seasoned Chicken and Mushroom Quesadillas with Tomato Salsa and Sour Cream. The series will provide a spin on weeknight staples to showcase the simplicity, versatility and zesty flavor of ranch seasoning when used to create family-friendly dinners any night of the week.
Find more information, including series episodes and additional recipes, at hiddenvalley.com/ranch-night.
Ranch Crusted Burgers with Avocado Ranch Sauce
Servings: 4
Avocado Ranch Sauce:
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup sour cream
1 tablespoon well-shaken buttermilk
1/2 teaspoon Hidden Valley Ranch Seasoning
kosher salt
freshly ground black pepper
3 green onions, thinly sliced
2 avocados, peeled, pitted and diced
Ranch Spice Crusted Burger:
1 1/2 teaspoons Hidden Valley Ranch Seasoning
1 teaspoon paprika
kosher salt
freshly ground pepper
1 1/2 pounds ground chuck (80% lean)
2 tablespoons canola oil
8 slices American cheese
1/4 cup water
4 brioche buns, split in half
Avocado Ranch Sauce
To make avocado ranch sauce: In bowl, whisk mayonnaise, sour cream, buttermilk, ranch seasoning, salt and pepper until smooth. Fold in green onions and diced avocados; set aside.
To make burgers: In small bowl, whisk ranch seasoning, paprika, salt and pepper.
Heat large cast-iron pan or griddle over high heat. Divide meat into four 6-ounce patties and make deep depression in centers with thumb. Season each with spice rub on one side.
Add canola oil to pan and heat until shimmering. Place on burgers in pan, spice side down, and cook until golden brown and lightly charred, 4 minutes. Turn burgers over and cook 4 minutes, or until they reach desired doneness.
Top each burger with two slices cheese. Add water to pan and cover tightly with lid 10 seconds, or until the cheese is melted.
Place burgers on bottom buns and top each with avocado ranch sauce and top buns.
