Burgers Galore - Number One American Favourite
Classic American Hamburger of the 50's
So many around the world think of American cuisine as "junk foods". This is not really the case - many do eat healthier foods. The basic recipes are not junk food, but many companies have interpreted them thusly-junk. American recipes may have come out of a mixture of many other cuisines, or even been imported from Europe at some time in the past, but they are so ingrained in the culture, it’s difficult to think of them as anything other than American.
Of course burgers come to mind when you talk of a favourite American dish, but be creative when making burgers. Forget the rubbery patties of McD's that isnt what I am talking about. Burgers are the perfect DIY meal! (DIY-do it yourself)
Many people who move to the US from other countries develop a strong affinity for American food. Prepared at home, it can be very healthy. America was built on hearty, wholesome, simple meals made from basic, home-grown, fresh ingredients.
Egads-try and get this one in your mouth! This takes a firm grip anddetermination to down hi burger-tip don't lay it down before it is finished!
A hamburger is undeniably the number 1 American food. It can be made at home using good quality low fat ground or minced meat. You can actually buy a nice lean cut of meat and grind at home for the ultimate taste. Now that being said no one says a hamburger must be beef. It can be made of ground turkey, chicken, lamb or pork, or combinations of ground meats, or even seafood. My favourite hamburger is a combination of lamb and beef-simply awesome taste.
Bacon is a very popular condiment for burgers. I love Applewood Smoked Bacon on a burger-yum!
Chickpea Burgers and Tahini SauceTaken in (See more photos here)
This vegetarian burger is a mixture of chickpeas, fresh green onions, oregano and smoky cumin with an egg and flour acting as the binders. They are pan-fried in olive oil until they achieve a golden brown crust -sort of a falafal huge patty-burger. Tahini sauce is perfection or some harissa for zap flavour and add some cilantro sprigs if you want or shredded lettuce.
This pita is whole wheat fromTrader Joe's and too small for the monster veggie burger.
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Burger of the Gods - sometimes simple is best
from Alton Brown
8 ounces chuck, trimmed, cut into 1 1/2-inch cubes
8 ounces sirloin, trimmed, cut into 1 1/2-inch cubes
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
In separate batches, pulse the chuck and the sirloin in a food processor 10 times. Combine the chuck, sirloin, and kosher salt in a large bowl. Form the meat into 5-ounce patties.
Heat a cast iron skillet or griddle over medium-high heat for 2 to 3 minutes. Place the hamburger patties in the pan. For medium-rare burgers, cook the patties for 4 minutes on each side. For medium burgers, cook the patties for 5 minutes on each side. Flip the burgers only once during cooking.
The Ultimate Burger
Foie gras stuffed lamb burger goodness at Daniel Boulud Brassiere
Curry-Masala Lamb Burgers with Yogurt Sauce
(from Erin's Kitchen-inspired by Rachel Ray)
1 lb. ground lamb
Approx. 1 tbsp. curry powder
Approx. 1 tbsp. masala spice mix
salt and pepper
medium handful of cilantro, finely chopped
medium handful of mint, finely chopped
1 garlic clove, finely diced
squeeze of lemon juice
1/2 c. plain yogurt, preferably full-fat
In a large bowl, mix the lamb, curry powder, masala spice and salt and pepper well. Don't be afraid to use your hands! Form lamb into 4-5 patties, depending on how thick you like your burgers. Place patties on a plate, and set aside (you could put them in the fridge if you worry about these sorts of things, but it'll only be 5 minutes--I promise).
In a small bowl, mix the cilantro, mint, garlic and squeeze of lemon juice. Add the yogurt and stir until mixed. Set aside.
Coat lamb patties with a little olive oil and either cook in a cast iron skillet on the stove or on the grill. Either way, the patties will need about 3 minutes on either side.
Use whatever kind of buns you like--we used English muffins, which Rachael recommends pitas. Serve the patties with the sauce at the table and allow folks to add as much or as little yogurt sauce as they like. You know I'm gonna say it: yum-o.
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| 8 ounces chuck, trimmed, cut into 1 1/2-inch cubes 8 ounces sirloin, trimmed, cut into 1 1/2-inch cubes 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt In separate batches, pulse the chuck and the sirloin in a food processor 10 times. Combine the chuck, sirloin, and kosher salt in a large bowl. Form the meat into 5-ounce patties. The Ultimate Burger
Foie gras stuffed lamb burger goodness at Daniel Boulud Brassiere
Curry-Masala Lamb Burgers with Yogurt Sauce (from Erin's Kitchen-inspired by Rachel Ray) 1 lb. ground lamb In a large bowl, mix the lamb, curry powder, masala spice and salt and pepper well. Don't be afraid to use your hands! Form lamb into 4-5 patties, depending on how thick you like your burgers. Place patties on a plate, and set aside (you could put them in the fridge if you worry about these sorts of things, but it'll only be 5 minutes--I promise). In a small bowl, mix the cilantro, mint, garlic and squeeze of lemon juice. Add the yogurt and stir until mixed. Set aside. Coat lamb patties with a little olive oil and either cook in a cast iron skillet on the stove or on the grill. Either way, the patties will need about 3 minutes on either side. Use whatever kind of buns you like--we used English muffins, which Rachael recommends pitas. Serve the patties with the sauce at the table and allow folks to add as much or as little yogurt sauce as they like. You know I'm gonna say it: yum-o. |
Leaning Tower of Salmon Burger - stack a couple of these grilled moist salmon burgers on a crusty sourdough bun with a smear of aioli, kissed with citrus & chives - The essence of summer is truly captured.
Wow look at the seeded bun on this tempting burger-I love artisanal bread!
Crab Burger
7-11 Burger in Thailand-just had to throw this "Squidy" burger in. <smile>
Panko Breaded Prawn burger on rice buns.
Healthy Burgers
For a low fat, high fiber burger, replace the buns with a whole wheat bun, broil or grill the burger, cut out the Mayo and butter or use Low fat mayo (Best Food's makes a good one) and serve with a good amount of lettuce, tomato, red onion grilled, and even pickles. And use 2% fat cheese if it is a must or even Reggiano-Parmesano.
Number 1 - Burgers
The name "hamburger" comes from Hamburg, a city in Germany. In Germany snacks are often named after the place of origin, like the Frankfurter, the Berliner, or Bratwurst. In Hamburg it was common to put a piece of roast pork into a roll and serve it warm. German immigrants then took this “Hamburger,” to the United States where it was adapted into it’s modern form. There are several US cities and restaurants that lay claim to being the home of the hamburger and there have even been several laws passed to ratify those claims (now that’s very American). Here are some notable ones.
Seymour, Wisconsin. Charlie Nagreen claimed to have served the world's first hamburger at the Seymour Fair of 1885. "Hamburger" Charlie decided to flatten a meatball and place it between two slices of bread.
Hamburg, New York. Frank and Charles Menches ran out of pork for their sausage patty sandwiches at the 1885 Erie County Fair. Apparently, their supplier, reluctant to butcher more hogs in the summer heat, suggested they use beef instead. The brothers fried some up, but found it to be lacking, added coffee, brown sugar, and other ingredients and christened their creation the "Hamburg Sandwich.” The original recipe is featured at Menches Brothers Restaurants in Akron, Ohio.
Athens, Texas. In 1974, The New York Times ran a story claiming that the hamburger was invented at Louis' Lunch in New Haven, CT. But according to the McDonald's hamburger chain, the inventor was an unknown food vendor at the St. Louis World's Fair in 1904.
Ultimate Health Burger
Ingredients:
1 pound extra lean ground beef like serloin
1/5 cup all bran
1/5 cup carrot shredded
1 egg
Toppings:
Your choice:
Onion, tomato, lettuce, dill pickle, sprouts
Condiments,
Your choice
Mustard, your favourite kind
Ketchup
Relish, your favourite
Hot sauce
Preparation;
Put burger, egg, bran and carrot into bowl and mix together.
Form into 4 patties.Put on BBQ or into skillet, cook them the way you like them, and place on a bun such as a whole wheat Kaiser bun.
Add the condiments and toppings that you want and there you have it a burger prepared your way and you did not have to drive anywhere or wait in a line to get it.
You can prepare the burgers ahead of time and take them with you on a picnic the next day. Make sure to refrigerate them over night and pack them in a cooler for the journey.
This is a healthy and tasty meal, serve with a green salad and it offers all you need.
So what is your favourite burger recipe? Please share.
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