Invite the neighbors for this summer kick-off menu.

Your Menu: Serves 8

Our Best-Ever Grilled Burgers

• Potato chips
• Watermelon wedges

Mocha Floats

• Bottled water

Test Kitchen Tips:

Make sure you use an instant-read thermometer when testing the doneness of the burgers. The color inside is not always a good indicator of doneness. The internal temperature should reach 160 degrees F.

To make chocolate curls for floats, use a vegetable peeler and draw it across the bar of milk or dark chocolate. It helps if the bar is at room temperature or even a little warmer.

Shopping List:

For Burgers

• 1 dozen eggs
• 1 jar instant beef bouillon granules
• 1 onion or leek or 1 package shallots or 1 bunch green onions
• 1 wedge fresh Parmesan, Romano, or Asiago cheese
• 1 bunch fresh basil or parsley (or use dried)
• 1 pound 85% lean ground beef
• 1 pound ground pork
• 1 package (8) onion or hamburger buns or kaiser rolls
• 1 jar stone-ground mustard
• 1 can or bottle beer or apple juice
• 1 head lettuce (optional)
• 1 tomato (optional)
• 1 red onion (optional)
• 1 jar dill pickle spears (optional)
• 2 bags desired potato chips
• 1 12-pack bottled water

For Floats

• 1 container presweetened cocoa powder
• 1 jar instant coffee crystals
• 1 1/2-gallon vanilla ice cream
• 1 1/2-gallon chocolate ice cream
• 1 8-ounce carton whipping cream
• 1 bar milk or dark chocolate (optional)

Pantry Items:

For Burgers

• Worcestershire or steak sauce
• garlic powder
• black peppercorns
• honey

For Floats

• granulated sugar

Equipment Needed:

For Burgers

• measuring cups and spoons
• cutting board and knife
• cheese grater
• large bowl
• pepper grinder
• wooden spoon
• charcoal or gas grill
• wide spatula
• instant-read thermometer
• small bowl
• spoon

For Floats

• measuring cups and spoons
• vegetable peeler (optional)
• medium saucepan
• wooden spoon or silicone spatula
• medium bowl
• drinking glasses
• ice cream scoop
• wire whisk or electric mixer
• large bowl
• long-handled spoon

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