Juicy Pan Fried Burgers Food

JULIA CHILD'S PAN-FRIED THIN BURGER

Steps:

• In a small saute pan, over high heat, saute the shallots in the butter until soft, about 5 minutes. Divide the meat into 4 portions. One at a time, flatten each by chopping and spreading the meat with light strokes of your chefs knife. Season each with salt, pepper and 1/2 teaspoon of the shallots. Blend into the meat, chopping and turning it as you shape the portions into 4 1/2 to 5-inch round patties, 1/4-inch thick. Toast the hamburger buns and distribute them to your guests. Suggest that they dress the bottom halves of their rolls as they wish while you cook the burgers. Lightly dust the surface of a large, hot saute pan, with salt. When the pan is very hot, but not smoking, lay a patty in the pan. Rapidly add a second burger. Brown the meat, about 20 seconds. Turn patties to other side. Cook until done, about 1 minute. Remove cooked burgers to a warm platter. Repeat process with 2 remaining burgers. Place finished burgers onto guests buns as quickly as possible so they can add their finishing touches.

JUICY HAMBURGERS

Steps:

• Dissolve salt and pepper in ice water.
• Use at least 1/2 teaspoon of salt for each pound of meat you use.
• Add spiced water to meat, then add crushed ice and work in gently.
• Form 4 patties and grill or pan fry.

PERFECT BURGER

Steps:

• Divide the meat into 4 equal portions (about 6 ounces each). Form each portion loosely into a 3/4-inch-thick burger and make a deep depression in the center with your thumb. Season both sides of each burger with salt and pepper.
• IF USING A GRILL: Heat a gas grill to high or heat coals in a charcoal grill until they glow bright orange and ash over. Brush the burgers with the oil. Grill the burgers until golden brown and slightly charred on the first side, about 3 minutes for beef and 5 minutes for turkey. Flip over the burgers. Cook beef burgers until golden brown and slightly charred on the second side, 4 minutes for medium rare (3 minutes if topping with cheese; see step 3) or until cooked to desired degree of doneness. Cook turkey burgers until cooked throughout, about 5 minutes on the second side.
• IF USING A GRILL PAN: Heat a grill pan over high heat on top of the stove. Cook the burgers as for a grill, above.
• IF USING A SAUTE PAN OR GRIDDLE (PREFERABLY CAST IRON): Heat the oil in the pan or griddle over high heat until the oil begins to shimmer. Cook the burgers until golden brown and slightly charred on the first side, about 3 minutes for beef and 5 minutes for turkey. Flip over the burgers. Cook beef burgers until golden brown and slightly charred on the second side, 4 minutes for medium rare (3 minutes if topping with cheese) or until cooked to desired degree of doneness. Cook turkey burgers until cooked throughout, about 5 minutes on the second side.
• Add the cheese, if using, to the tops of the burgers during the last minute of cooking and top with a basting cover, close the grill cover, or tent the burgers with aluminum foil to melt the cheese.
• Sandwich the hot burgers between the buns and serve immediately.

EXCEPTIONALLY GOOD PAN-FRIED HOAGIE BURGERS

Steps:

• Mix together ground beef and all ingredients (EXCEPT pepper jack cheese) in a medium bowl.
• Divide into 4 equal parts and shape into mini-loaves, about 4 inches long, 2 1/2 inches wide and 1/2 inch thick. Set aside.
• Heat a heavy skillet over medium-high. Pan-fry burgers to personal preference: 3 to 4 minutes on each side for medium rare, 5 to 6 minutes for medium.
• Top with cheese and cover skillet to melt, 1 minute.
• Serve immediately on rolls with toppings of choice ~ (mustard, mayo, ketchup, chopped lettuce, chopped tomatoes, minced onion, pickles).
• Makes 4 servings.

PAN-FRIED ONION CHEESEBURGER

Steps:

• Place ground beef in a bowl and season with Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly and shape into 3 balls. Set aside.
• Melt butter in a large skillet. Add onion and cook until onions start to brown, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from the skillet. Add 3 ground beef balls to the same skillet and flatten with a cast iron press or a heavy spatula. Evenly top each patty with onions and cook for 3 to 4 minutes more.
• Carefully flip patties over so that the onions are now on the bottom, pressing once again with cast iron press or heavy spatula. Top each with a slice of cheese and cook until cheese is melted and burgers have reached the desired doneness, 3 to 4 minutes. Serve on brioche buns.