Place the ground beef in a large mixing bowl. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Gently mix together -- do not overwork. Form seasoned beef into four patties about 1-inch thick. Grill on the well-oiled rack of an uncovered grill directly over medium coals for 10 minutes. Turn with a spatula and grill 10 to 12 minutes more, until meat is cooked and a meat thermometer registers 160 degree F internal temperature. Toast buns, cut side down on grill during last 1 to 2 minutes of grilling. To serve, top bottom half of bun with lettuce, burger, tomato, onions, pickles. Spread top half of bun with ketchup or mustard; top sandwich.

For Stuffed Burgers: Place the ground beef in a large mixing bowl. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, and chopped onion. Gently mix together -- do not overwork. Divide cheese into 4 equal portions. Form seasoned beef around cheese into four patties about 1-inch thick. Grill on the well-oiled rack of an uncovered grill directly over medium coals for 10 minutes. Turn with a spatula and grill 10 to 12 minutes more, until meat is cooked and a meat thermometer registers 160 degree F internal temperature. Toast buns, cut side down on grill during last 1 to 2 minutes of grilling. To serve, place cooked burger on bottom half of bun, top with tomato, onions, pickles, and lettuce. Makes 4 burgers.

Ketchup recipes: Start with 3/4 cup ketchup. -Stir in 1/4 cup chopped, drained oil-packed dried tomatoes, 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar, 1 tablespoon packed brown sugar, and a dash salt and pepper. -Stir in 3/4 cup blueberries and/or raspberries that have been mashed lightly with a fork, 2 tablespoons cider vinegar, and 2 slices crisp-cooked and crumbled bacon (stir bacon in just before use). -Stir in 1/4 cup chopped, drained roasted red sweet peppers, 1 tablespoon adobo sauce from canned chipotle chili peppers, 1 tablespoon sherry vinegar, and 1 teaspoon sugar. Cover and chill up to 1 week. Makes about 1 cup.