Jeff Mauro Smash Burgers Food

SMASHED SAUSAGE AND PEPPER BURGERS

Steps:

• Form the Italian sausage in 4-ounce patties a little bit wider than the buns you are using. Heat the oil in a cast-iron skillet over medium heat. In batches, cook each side of the patties until crisp and golden and no longer pink in the center, about 8 minutes a side.
• Line the cooked sausage patties on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Place some Sweet Peppers on top, then a slice of cheese. Broil in the oven until the cheese is melty and golden brown. Place on the griddled buns and serve with red sauce.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Toss the pepper strips with the oil, garlic and some salt and pepper, and place in a 9-by-14-inch baking dish. Bake, stirring halfway through, until the peppers become lighter in color and soft, about 20 minutes.

MACDADDY MAURO BBQ BONELESS RIBURGER

Steps:

• Preheat a grill for cooking at medium-high heat.
• Split the rolls and spread the cut sides with the butter. Grill until toasted and golden, about 2 minutes.
• Mix the ground pork with the rub in a bowl until just combined. Form into 4 rectangular patties, slightly larger than your rolls.
• Lightly oil the grill grates. Place the patties on the grill and cook for 3 minutes. Flip the patties and baste with barbecue sauce. Cook until charred on the other side, another 3 minutes. Continue this process multiple times, flipping and basting about every 3 minutes, until both sides are glossy and charred and the internal temperature hits 165 degrees F, 5 to 8 minutes.
• Place the patties on the rolls and top with the dill pickles, red onions and additional barbecue sauce, if desired.

GRIND-YOUR-OWN CHICKEN SHAWARMA BURGERS

Steps:

• Put the chicken cubes on a baking sheet and put in the freezer until very firm, about 30 minutes. Put the blade and bowl of a food processor in the freezer as well.
• Meanwhile, mix together the cumin, paprika, turmeric, garlic, allspice, chili, cinnamon and 1 tablespoon salt in a bowl. Mix in the olive oil to make a paste.
• Working in 2 batches, put the firm, almost-frozen chicken into the cold food processor and pulse 10 to 15 times until coarsely chopped. Transfer the chopped meat to a bowl and repeat with the remaining chicken cubes. Add the spice blend paste to the meat and mix to gently combine. Divide the meat into 4 balls and flatten into 3/4-inch-thick patties.
• Prepare a grill for medium-high heat. Clean and oil the grates. Brush each patty with some oil, then season with a bit of salt and pepper. Grill until the inside of the patties registers 160 degrees F, about 5 minutes per side. Let the burgers rest for 5 minutes. Butter and toast the rolls.
• Burger Build: On each roll bottom, place 1 leaf of romaine, then a burger and some giardiniera. Add a nice schmear of the Lemon Tahini sauce on each roll top.
• Vigorously whisk the tahini, lemon zest and juice, honey, olive oil and 2 tablespoons water together in a bowl until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper.

SMASHBURGER-STYLE BURGERS

Steps:

• Heat a griddle or large cast-iron skillet over medium heat for at least 10 minutes. Meanwhile, combine the mayonnaise, mustard and pickle brine in a small bowl. Combine the onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a separate small bowl. Set aside.
• Loosely form the beef into 4 balls; set aside. Working in batches, lightly brush the griddle with butter and toast the buns cut-side down until lightly browned, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
• Brush the griddle with more butter and add 1 ball of beef. Press firmly with 2 large crisscrossed metal spatulas for exactly 10 seconds, then gently remove the spatulas. Sprinkle the patties with some of the seasoning mixture and continue cooking, undisturbed, until well browned, 1 1/2to 2 minutes. (Start cooking another burger at this point.) Flip the patty, sprinkle with more of the seasoning mixture and top with 1 cheese slice. Continue cooking until the cheese is melted around the edges and the bottom of the burger is browned, about 1 more minute. Repeat with the remaining beef.
• Spread the mayonnaise mixture on the bun tops and add some ketchup. Serve the patties on the buns with the pickles, tomato, red onion and lettuce.

GRILLED BOLOGNA BURGER

Steps:

• For the onions: Heat a large oven proof 10-inch nonstick pan, with oil in it, to medium heat. Add the onions and season with salt and pepper. Cook until the onions are soft and lightly caramelized, about 10 minutes. Once they are caramelized, pour them into a bowl and set aside.
• For the giardiniera frittata: Set the oven to broil. Whisk the eggs in a bowl. Wipe the skillet you cooked the onions in and place back over medium-low heat, then add the butter and olive oil. Add the eggs and slowly cook until the bottom is set but the top is still wet, 4 to 6 minutes. Sprinkle the Hot Giardiniera evenly over the eggs and season with salt and pepper.
• Place the skillet in the broiler on the middle rack and broil until the top is spotty brown and puffy, about 5 minutes. Let the frittata cool slightly and, using a 3- to 4-inch ring mold, cut out circles that will match the size of your bread.
• For the burger: Heat a grill pan to medium-high heat. Grill each side of bologna until grill marks form, 3 to 4 minutes a side. Once you flip to the second side, top each slice with a piece of cheese and cover with a metal bowl until melted.
• For the sandwich build: Layer the bottom bun with a dollop of the Dusseldorf mustard, bologna with cheese, onions and the frittata. Schmear the top bun with another dollop of Dusseldorf mustard. Close the sandwich, recite the Pledge of Allegiance and eat whole.
• Combine 2 cups water and the salt in a glass or non-reactive bowl. Mix until the salt is dissolved. Add the carrots, cauliflower, serranos, garlic, celery and bell pepper to the salt water and stir to combine. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
• Day 2, drain and rinse the vegetables. In a clean bowl, mix together the oil with the oregano and pepper. Add the vegetables and mix to combine. Allow to marinate overnight. Giardiniera will only get better with time. After 2 days at the most in the bowl, you can place in air-tight mason jars and keep in the fridge for at least 2 to 3 weeks.