James Beards Food

JAMES BEARD'S FAVORITE HAMBURGER

Steps:

• Spread the meat out on a board and grate 2 to 3 tablespoons of onion into it¿use a fairly fine grater so you get just the juice and very finely grated raw onion. Now mix in about a tablespoon of heavy cream and some freshly ground black pepper, to taste. Form into patties¿a 6- to 8-ounce patty for an average serving.
• Using a black iron skillet or your best copper one or your pet aluminum frying pan, Teflon-coated or not (with a Teflon coating you won't need much fat, just a little bit for flavor), and cook the hamburgers in the butter and oil over fairly high heat, giving it 4 to 5 minutes a side, depending on how well done you like it. Salt this creamy, oniony, peppery hamburger before serving it on a buttered bun or English muffin, or as a main course with sliced tomatoes and onions or some home-fried potatoes.

JAMES BEARD'S OLD-FASHIONED MEAT LOAF

Steps:

• In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground meats, onions, carrots, and spices. Mix well.
• Add in the eggs, milk, bread crumbs, and mix well.
• Place half of the mixture on a greased, shallow baking pan. Place hard boiled eggs (without shells, of course) end-to-end in a line through the loaf. Place remaining amount of mixture on top and form into a loaf with your hands.
• Place strips of bacon atop loaf in an attractive criss-cross pattern.
• Bake at 350 F for 90-120 minutes, depending upon how thick you have formed the loaf.

JAMES BEARD'S YORKSHIRE PUDDING

Steps:

• In a mixing bowl, beat the eggs with an electric mixer (or a LOT of elbow grease) until they are light and fluffy.
• Gradually beat in the scant cup of flour and the milk.
• Add salt and about 2 tablespoons of beef drippings from the roast it is assumed you are also making.
• Heat a baking pan (like a cake pan) in the oven (set at 450F) until it is hot, then pour 1/4 cup of beef drippings into the bottom of the pan.
• Immediately pour in batter and bake for 10 minutes.
• Reduce heat to 350F and cook for 10 to 15 minutes longer, until Yorkshire is puffy and well browned.
• Cut into squares to serve.
• James Beard suggests making this after the roast comes out of the oven:"This can be done after the roast is removed from the oven and while it is standing to let the juices settle".

JAMES BEARD'S CREAM BISCUITS

Steps:

• Sift dry ingredients together.
• Fold in cream until it makes a soft dough that can be easily handled. (You may need to add up to a full cup of cream).
• Turn on to a floured board and knead for about one minute.
• I make these as drop biscuits: Take a large mound of dough (one heaping tablespoonful) and dip into melted butter.
• Arrange biscuits on a baking sheet spritzed with baking spray. Bake at 425 for 15-18 minutes.

JAMES BEARD'S BUTTERMILK PANCAKES

Steps:

• Beat egg yolks until well blended. Sift together flour, soda and salt. Stir in buttermilk and egg yolks. Add butter and beat until smooth.
• Beat egg whites with an electric mixer until stiff but not dry. Fold into batter gently.
• Heat a lightly greased griddle or large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Test heat by dropping a small amount of batter into the pan. Once pan is hot, drop batter by spoonfuls onto pan and cook until pancakes are brown on the bottom and are starting to dry on top. Turn and brown the other side. Keep warm while cooking the remaining pancakes.