Hamburgers Food

HAMBURGERS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Place a roasting rack on a foil-lined baking sheet in the oven.
• Using your hands, break the meat into small pieces and combine evenly but loosely on a parchment or waxed paper-lined baking sheet. Spread the meat out and season it generously with salt and pepper. If desired, add the spice mix at this time.
• Divide the meat into 4 portions (about 6 ounces each). Using your hands, form each portion into a ball-shape by gently tossing it from 1 hand to the other. (Don't over work or press too firmly on the meat.) Gently form each portion into a patty about 3 1/2 inches wide and 1-inch-thick.
• Preheat a large cast iron skillet over medium-low heat for 5 minutes. Raise the heat to high and add the oil. Add the patties and cook, turning once, until well-browned, about 2 minutes each side.
• Using a spatula, transfer the hamburgers to the roasting rack in the oven and continue cooking to desired doneness, 8 to 9 minutes for medium-rare, 10 to 11 minutes for medium, and 13 to 15 minutes for well-done. If you are using the cheese, top the hamburgers during their last couple of minutes of cooking to melt.
• Transfer the hamburgers to a plate, let rest for a couple minutes before serving. Meanwhile, toast the hamburger buns. Assemble the hamburgers with the condiments and toppings of your choice. Serve.
• When cooking on a countertop grill, turn on grill, then place burgers on the heated grill.
• Timing for a countertop grill:
• For Medium-Rare: Cook for 3 minutes covered and then unplug the machine and continue to cook covered for 2 to 3 more minutes.
• For Medium: Cook for 4 minutes covered and then unplug the machine and continue to cook covered for 4 more minutes.
• For Well: Cook for 5 minutes covered and then unplug the machine and continue to cook covered for 5 more minutes.
• Combine all ingredients.

BEEF BURGERS - LEARN TO MAKE

Steps:

• Tip 500g beef mince into a bowl with 1 small diced onion and 1 egg, then mix.
• Divide the mixture into four. Lightly wet your hands. Carefully roll the mixture into balls, each about the size of a tennis ball.
• Set in the palm of your hand and gently squeeze down to flatten into patties about 3cm thick. Make sure all the burgers are the same thickness so that they will cook evenly.
• Put on a plate, cover with cling film and leave in the fridge to firm up for at least 30 mins.
• Heat the barbecue to medium hot (there will be white ash over the red hot coals - about 40 mins after lighting). Lightly brush one side of each burger with vegetable oil.
• Place the burgers, oil-side down, on the barbecue. Cook for 5 mins until the meat is lightly charred. Don't move them around or they may stick.
• Oil the other side, then turn over using tongs. Don't press down on the meat, as that will squeeze out the juices.
• Cook for 5 mins more for medium. If you like your burgers pink in the middle, cook 1 min less each side. For well done, cook 1 min more.
• Take the burgers off the barbecue. Leave to rest on a plate so that all the juices can settle inside.
• Slice four burger buns in half. Place, cut-side down, on the barbecue rack and toast for 1 min until they are lightly charred. Place a burger inside each bun, then top with your choice of accompaniment.

A CRACKING BURGER

Steps:

• Wrap the crackers in a tea towel and smash up until fine, breaking up any big bits with your hands, then tip into a large bowl.
• Finely chop the parsley (stalks and all), then add to the bowl with the mustard (if using), and the minced beef.
• Crack the egg into the bowl, then add a good pinch of sea salt and black pepper.
• With clean hands, scrunch and mix everything up well. Divide into 6 and pat and mould each piece into a roundish shape, roughly 2cm thick.
• Place the burgers onto a plate, drizzle with oil, then cover and place in the fridge until needed - this will help to firm them up.
• To cook the burgers, preheat a large griddle or frying pan for 4 minutes on a high heat, then turn the heat down to medium.
• Place the burgers on the griddle or into the pan, then use a spatula to lightly press them down, making sure the burger is in full contact with the pan.
• Cook the burgers for 3 or 4 minutes on each side, depending on how you like them - you may need to work in batches.
• Meanwhile, wash and dry a few small lettuce leaves, tearing up the larger ones. Slice the tomatoes, peel and finely slice the red onion, then slice the gherkins lengthways as finely as you can.
• Place all the veg toppings, and the cheese (if using) on a platter and put in the middle of the table with plates, cutlery, ketchup and drinks.
• Once cooked, remove the burgers to a plate and carefully wipe the pan clean with a ball of kitchen paper.
• Halve the burger buns and lightly toast them in the pan, then serve up.

HAMBURGER PATTIES

Steps:

• Sometimes I vary the seasonings- using a steak seasoning or Cajun seasoning instead of salt and pepper.
• Mix ingredients with your hands using a light touch.
• Don't be tempted to overmix.
• If you do, it becomes too dense.
• When charcoal grilling, add 1/2 cup water to the beef mixture to keep it from drying out.
• For pan frying, don't use a nonstick pan- it won't brown as well, and heat some oil in the pan before adding burgers to keep the burgers from sticking and to help sear and form a nice brown, crispy exterior.
• Either method will take about 10- 12 minutes of cooking time, depending on thickness of patty, temperature of heat source and your preference (we like ours medium cooked).
• Note: when pan-frying don't be tempted to press down and squeeze all the juice out, just turn them more often (turn only once on the grill).

JUICIEST HAMBURGERS EVER

Steps:

• Preheat grill for high heat.
• In a large bowl, mix the ground beef, egg, bread crumbs, evaporated milk, Worcestershire sauce, cayenne pepper, and garlic using your hands. Form the mixture into 8 hamburger patties.
• Lightly oil the grill grate. Grill patties 5 minutes per side, or until well done.

HAMBURGERS

Steps:

• Chop garlic cloves on wooden surface then put in mortar and pestle.
• Add salt and olive oil and make a paste.
• Add this to the meat along with the Worcestershire and horseradish.
• Mix everything and adjust ingredients to suit your taste.
• When you make the patties place an indention in the middle of each one with your thumb (almost all the way through). This keeps the burgers from shrinking. We like ours thick and I like them to stay that way!
• Salt and Pepper according to taste when done.
• An added note on 04-03-06 - Thank you all for your positive feedback. It's nice to get confirmation on something I thought was good and different.
• Please note that I usually add more ingredients than what is called for above. I nuke a tiny hamburger (meatball size) and taste. I usually add more of everything. The horseradish does not taste like horseradish when cooked. It gives it a flavor note that otherwise wouldn't be there. Unless you are allergic to it, please try it.