Join us on an educational adventure through each state in the USA! Each post in this series focuses on one state, and includes a regional recipe from that state. This is a fun way to get your kids involved in cooking, as well as learn a bit about United States geography! The post also includes a link to the featured state’s website, where you can learn more about the state. We also include free forms that you can download and print to use along the journey. Geography has never been so delicious!

Make sure to check back each week for the next post!

Did you know that Arkansas grows over half the nation’s rice and is the leader in the USA for rice production?

This recipe takes advantage of Arkansas’ rice crop! It won the 2005 Grand Prize from one of the annual festivals celebrating this crop. It’s easy to make, and one that kids really enjoy!

ARKANSAS Cheeseburger Mini Muffins

What You Will Need:

• 1 pound Ground Hamburger


• 1 small Onion, chopped


• 2 eggs, beaten


• 3/4 cup Ketchup


• 1/4 cup Mustard (your favorite brand)


• 1 stick Butter, melted


• 3/4 cup Milk


• 2-1/2 cups Flour


• 1 tablespoon Sugar


• 2 teaspoons Baking Powder


• 1 teaspooon Salt


• 1-1/2 cups Cooked Rice


• 2 cups Grated Cheese


• Mini Muffin Pan


• Small Mixing Bowl


• Large Mixing Bowl

What You Do:

• In a skillet, brown hamburger and onion until well cooked.


• Combine eggs, ketchup, mustard, butter, and milk together in a small bowl, and mix well. Set aside.


• Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and rice and mix together in a large bowl.


• Add the egg mixture to the dry ingredients mixture, and stir until the dry ingredients are moist.


• Add hamburger and onions to the mixture, then add grated cheese. Stir together well.


• Grease a miniature muffin tin, then add mixture to muffin cups until about 3/4 full.


• Bake at 425 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes.


• Cool mini cheeseburgers for around 5 minutes before removing them from the pan.


• Serve and enjoy!

Varations:

• Depending on the size of the muffin tin you use, these cheesburger muffins can be a meal when using a larger muffin tin, or used as appetizers with a small muffin tin. You may need to adjust cooking time, depending on the size muffin tin you use.


• We’ve used this recipe to make meatballs, too. Kids love to eat the meatballs with a large round toothpick!


• Try this recipe with Dijon mustard for a different flavor.

Arkansas State Information – Click this link to learn more about Arkansas attractions, activities, and to request free brochures, maps, and so much more!

US Geography Journal Pages – Use these journal pages to create a geography journal as you collect information about each state.

Arkansas Outline Map – Use this state map to label capitals, major rivers and lakes, and other areas of interest. Draw a star on the place you would most like to visit in this state!

United States Outline Map – Use this USA map to track your journey as you “eat your way across the USA”! Color in each state that you’ve tried one of recipes for.

• The United States Cook Book – Take a Tasty Tour of America’s 50 States, and learn a lot of United States geography along the way! (PLEASE NOTE: The recipe featured above is not included in this book.)


• US History Cook Book – Serve up a heaping lesson of history with delicious recipes from our nation’s past… from the pilgrims’ first feast to today’s high-tech, low-fat fare.


• Maps of the United States – This reproducible book contains geopolitical maps of each of the fifty states; political maps of the six regions; and political, physical, and thematic maps of the United States. You’ll also find fun facts, geography bee-type questions, and review pages.


• DK State-by-State Atlas – More than an atlas, this book shows and tells young geographers who, what, when, where, and why.


• The Geography Book – From finding directions by the stars, to mapping your neighborhood, to making an earthquake in a box, you’ll have a great time learning about the world with The Geography Book.


• Professor Noggins USA Geography Game – From rural farming communities to urban cities, from snow-capped mountains to tropical islands, this game covers both the natural and political geography of the United States. Learn about the states, cities, and natural geographical wonders that make this country such an interesting place to visit.


• State by State Card Game – Learning about United States geography is made fun and memorable with this unique deck of cards!


• GeoPuzzle USA Puzzle – GeoPuzzles provide a hands-on approach to learning geography.

Make sure to check back next week for the next state in this series!

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