The Ultimate Homemade Burger Food

THE ULTIMATE BURGER

Steps:

• Cut steak into 1 1/2-inch pieces and season with 11/2 teaspoon salt. Chill in a sealable bag 4 to 6 hours.
• Rinse steak under cold water, then pat dry. Grind using a meat grinder with a 3/8-or 1/4-inch die or finely chop in a food processor. Form into 6 balls and flatten into patties about 1 inch thick and 4 inches in diameter. Chill until ready to grill.
• Prepare grill for direct-heat cooking over medium-hot charcoal (medium-high heat for gas); see Grilling Procedure .
• Season burgers with 1/4 teaspoon pepper (total). Lightly oil grill rack. Grill burgers, covered only if using a gas grill, turning once, about 5 minutes total for rare or 6 minutes for medium-rare. (Burgers will continue to cook slightly once removed from grill.)

THE BIG DOUBLE CHEESEBURGER & SECRET SAUCE

Steps:

• Tip the onions into a small bowl and pour over boiling water from the kettle until just covered. Leave to cool. Put all the sauce ingredients in another small bowl, then add 1 tbsp of the cooled onion water and mix until everything is evenly combined. Set aside.
• Halve two of the burger buns, then cut a thick slice from the middles of the other two buns. Toast or grill the middle slices on both sides and the other buns only on the cut sides, then set aside. Heat the oven to 100C/80C fan/gas 2.
• Divide the mince into four loose piles and season. Heat ¼ tbsp of the oil in a heavy frying pan or skillet over a high heat and put one of the piles of beef in the pan. Working quickly, cover with a square of baking parchment and carefully use a second pan to press the beef patties down - be careful of the heat and rising steam as you do this. Keep the patties pressed down for about 10 seconds, then remove the weight and the paper, and leave the burger to cook for 2 mins more. Turn the patties and press down using a spatula, cooking for another 1 min. Transfer to a tray and keep warm in the oven while you cook the other burgers in the same way.
• When all the patties are cooked, it's time to assemble the burgers. Spread some sauce over the bun bases, scatter with onions, then add lettuce, followed by a cheese slice, then a patty, a few gherkin slices and a middle slice of toasted bun. Spread over more sauce, then add more onions, lettuce, another patty and the bun tops. Serve with the oven fries and extra sauce on the side, if you like.

THE PERFECT BURGER

Steps:

• Lightly oil grill& heat BBQ to medium.
• Whisk egg in a bowl& add next 6 ingredients.
• Add any of the “stir-ins” that appeal to you.
• Crumble in beef& using your hands or a fork, gently mix together.
• Handle the meat as little as possible – the more you work it, the tougher it gets.
• Gently shape (don’t firmly press) mixture into burgers about ¾ inch thick.
• Using your thumb, make a shallow depression in the centre of each burger to prevent puffing up during cooking.
• Place burgers on the grill, close lid& BBQ until NO LONGER PINK INSIDE, turning once, about 6 – 8 minutes per side.
• An instant read thermometer should read 160F.
• Don't abuse your burgers by pressing with a spatula, pricking with a fork or turning frequently as precious juices will be lost!
• Tuck into a warm crusty bun& add your favourite toppings.