Hamburgers I think are something we should all be making fresh, from scratch with simple and tasty ingredients. Once you have the essentials covered you can add whatever you like to a hamburger to suit your taste. I have been grinding my own meat lately using my kitchenaid and I really love it. I don't find it too time consuming or difficult and I much rather know what is going into making my patties. I often find it so much cheaper and the extra 10-15min it takes to produce the most gorgeous looking ground beef is worth it to me. The combination of using both chuck and sirlion makes for a delicious meat patty. The chuck adds some much needed fat for big flavor and the sirlion keeps it lean. I used it to make it with only chuck but these are better!
To cover off on the essential ingredients; you need to add salt, pepper, onion, egg and breadcrumbs to your ground meat. That's a basic patty right... try this version which I've been making for a long time now. I use capers and a good dash of worcestershire sauce for a hint of flavor but otherwise it is the basic patty with some added dried oregano and shake of cayenne pepper. I always sauté my onions first - there is nothing worse than biting into a piece uncooked onion in your burger. I also use garlic. To be honest there is not much I don't cook without garlic! I have been topping it off with a homemade chipotle mayonnaise lately which just seals the deal for me in the hamburger steaks but I'll give you the cheats version if you don't want to make my original chipotle mayonnaise seen here http://whatsfordinner-mum.blogspot.com/2013/05/chipotle-mayonnaise.html.
Now, I have been holding off posting because I forgot to photograph the finished burger but we ate them again last night and STILL forgot to photograph! They are just too good not to share so I will update in due course but I figure everyone has seen a burger before! Use your imagination!
Ingredients:
600g / 1.3lbs ground chuck
600g / 1.3 lbs ground sirloin
1 brown onion, finely diced, sautéed
1 tspn minced garlic
1 tblspn oregano
1/2 tspn cayenne pepper
3 tblspn capers, diced
2 tblpsn worcestershire sauce
salt
pepper
2 eggs
1/3 - 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
Method:
- Dice your onion and saute in a hot pan with a drop of olive oil until golden and translucent.
- Add the garlic and oregano and stir until fragrant
- Remove and allow to cool completely (in the fridge if necessary)
- In a large mixing bowl, to your ground meat add the rest of your ingredients and the now cooled onions and mix with a fork or hands until well combined
- Divide mixture in half, then half again and again until you have 8 evenly portioned patties
- Roll into solid balls, cover with glad wrap and refridgerate until ready to cook
- Pre-heat your grill plate
- Press in a burger press or with your hands to a flat'ish pattie and press a dimple in the inside so it doesn't swell
- Brush patties with a little oil and grill for 3 minutes, then turn 90degrees, continue to grill for another 3 mins then flip. Cook for 6 minutes on this side as well, turning 90'degrees to ensure the criss-cross pattern.
- I usually add a slice of sharp cheddar cheese to the patty during the last few minutes of grilling to achieve a melted cheese top
- When cooked, remove and leave to rest for 5-8mins before serving on a toasted bun with your favorite toppings and a good spread of chipotle mayo or ketchup.
- Serving suggestions: sliced pickle, avocado, romaine lettuce and sharp cheddar cheese
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| Big burger balls ready for the fridge. Press before grilling obviously! |
cheats version of chipotle mayonnaise:
mayonnaise (store bought)
cholula sauce - to your liking
