Southern Style Burger Food

SOUTHERN MUSHROOM-BEEF BURGERS

Steps:

• Make the pimiento cheese: In a bowl, mix both cheddars, the cream cheese, pimientos, mayonnaise, chives, garlic powder, cayenne and paprika. Season with salt and black pepper. Add the reserved pimiento liquid to loosen slightly. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
• Make the patties: In a bowl, combine the beef, mushrooms, Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, paprika, garlic powder, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1 tablespoon black pepper. Form into 6 extra-large patties, about 8 ounces each. Make a little indentation in the center of each patty.
• Preheat a grill pan to medium-high heat. Grill the patties for 4 minutes on each side, or until the internal temperature reaches 150˚ F to 155˚ F (I like my burger medium well), topping each patty with a large dollop of the pimiento cheese during the last 1 to 2 minutes of cooking. If you like your patties more on the rare side, take them off the grill when the internal temperature reaches 140˚ F. Remove the patties and cover with foil for about 5 minutes. While the burgers rest, slather the buns with melted butter and place them on the grill for about a minute (keep an eye on them to avoid burning).
• Make the sauce: Mix the mayonnaise and barbecue sauce in a small bowl. To assemble the burgers, spread the barbecue mayonnaise on the bottom buns. Top with the lettuce and tomatoes. Add the burgers, red onions and pickles. Place the bun tops on the burgers.

ROME-STYLE PIZZA BURGERS

Steps:

• Heat a griddle or large cast-iron pan over high heat. Add the canola oil and let heat until it begins to shimmer.
• Divide the meat into 4 equal portions (about 6 ounces each). Shape each portion with your hands into a round patty, about 1 1/2 inches thick. Use your thumb to make a divot in the center of each burger. Sprinkle both sides of each burger with salt and pepper.
• Put the burgers on the griddle or in the pan, divot-side up. Cook the burgers, flipping once, until golden brown on both sides and cooked to medium doneness, about 8 minutes total.
• While the burgers cook, combine the tomato sauce, Calabrian chiles, basil and some salt and pepper in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook until warm, 4 to 5 minutes, then remove from the heat and set aside.
• Top each burger with 2 slices of the mozzarella. Carefully add 1/4 cup of water to the pan and immediately cover tightly with a lid. (If using a griddle, do one at a time and use a sandwich dome or stainless-steel bowl to cover.) Count to 10. Lift lid or dome to make sure that the cheese is totally melted (if not, cover again and count 5 second longer). Transfer the burgers to a plate and loosely tent with foil.
• Place the burgers on the bottom halves of the focaccia slices. Top with the tomato sauce, arugula, Parmigiano-Reggiano, a drizzle of balsamic vinegar and the top focaccia slices and serve immediately.

SOUTHERN-STYLE VEGGIE BURGERS

Steps:

• In large bowl mash black-eyed peas with a potato masher. Add egg, sweet pepper, bread crumbs, celery, green onions, and garlic salt; mix well. Shape bean mixture into twelve 1/2"-inch thick patties about 3"-inches in diameter.
• In large skillet heat 1 tablespoons of the oil over medium heat. Add half of the patties to the hot oil. Cook 8 minutes or until lightly browned and heated through, turning once. Remove and keep warm. Repeat with remaining oil and patties.
• In small bowl stir together mayonnaise and Cajun seasoning. Spread cut side of each roll with the mayonnaise mixture. Place a burger on bottom half of each roll; top with lettuce and add roll top.

SOUTHERN SHRIMP BURGERS

Steps:

• Pulse bread in food processor to coarse crumbs, about 10 pulses. Transfer to bowl and set aside.
• Pulse shrimp in now-empty processor until some pieces are finely minced and others are coarsely chopped, about 7 pulses. Transfer shrimp to large bowl.
• Combine mayonnaise, scallions, parsley, lemon zest, cayenne, salt and pepper in large bowl until uniform, then gently fold into processed shrimp until just combined. Sprinkle bread crumbs over mixture and gently fold until incorporated.
• Scrape shrimp mixture onto small baking sheet, divide it into 4 equal portions, and loosely pack each into 1-inch-thick patty. Cover and refrigerate the patties for at least 30 minutes or up to 3 hours.
• To Grill: Clean and oil cooking grate. Lightly brush tops of patties with oil, lay them on grill, oiled side down and lightly brush other side with oil. Cook patties, without pressing on them, until lightly browned and cooked through, 10 to 14 minutes, flipping them halfway through grilling. Transfer burgers to platter, tent loosely with aluminum foil and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
• Stovetop: Cook in a 12 inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat using 1-2 teaspoons vegetable oil until shimmering. Gently lay the shrimp burgers in the skillet and cook until crisp and browned on both sides, 8 to 10 minutes.
• Sauce: Combine all ingredients together. Stir until well mixed.