Burger Bar Recipes

HAMBURGERS (TAVERN STYLE)

Steps:

• Add oil or butter to a large cast-iron or stainless-steel skillet and place over medium heat. Gently divide ground beef into 4 small piles of around 8 ounces each, and then lightly form these into thick patties of around 3 1/2 inches in diameter, like flattened meatballs. Season aggressively with salt and pepper.
• Increase heat under skillet to high. Put hamburgers into the skillet with plenty of distance between them and allow them to cook, without moving, for approximately 3 minutes. Use a spatula to turn hamburgers over. If using cheese, lay slices on meat.
• Continue to cook until meat is cooked through, approximately another 3 to 4 minutes for medium-rare. Remove hamburgers from skillet and allow to rest for approximately 5 minutes; meanwhile, toast the buns. Place hamburgers on buns and top as desired.

CHICKEN PARMESAN BURGERS

Steps:

• In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium-high heat. Add onion; cook and stir until tender, about 3 minutes. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Remove from heat; cool slightly., In a large bowl, combine 1/4 cup marinara sauce, chopped mozzarella cheese, bread crumbs, seasonings and onion mixture. Add chicken; mix lightly but thoroughly. With wet hands, shape into four 1/2-in.-thick patties., In the same skillet, heat remaining 2 tablespoons oil over medium heat. Cook burgers until a thermometer reads 165°, 4-5 minutes on each side. Top with sliced mozzarella cheese; cook, covered, until cheese is melted, 1-2 minutes., Serve in buns; top with remaining 1/2 cup marinara sauce, Parmesan cheese and, if desired, basil leaves.

THE BURGER BAR

Steps:

• Preheat a large cast-iron skillet to medium hot. Take a few paper towels and fold them several times to make a thick square. Blot a small amount of oil on the paper towel and carefully and quickly wipe the hot skillet to make a nonstick surface.
• Season the ground meat in a bowl with salt and pepper. Give it about 3 turns in the bowl with your hands or a big spoon and it's done. Shape into 4 patties. When the skillet is hot, put the burgers on the skillet and cook 4 minutes on the first side and 5 for the second side for rare; 7 minutes per side for medium, adding the cheese during the final minute or 2 to melt. Remove the burgers to a plate. Rub the skillet with the folded paper towel again to clean it. Then toast the buns cut side down for about 1 minute, just to mark them. Serve the hamburgers in the buns with the accompaniments below.
• Saute 1 pound thickly sliced mushrooms in 1/4 cup olive oil with 2 sliced garlic cloves and 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves over super-high heat until nicely browned, 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in a couple of drops fresh lemon juice to brighten the flavor.
• Heat 2 tablespoons unsalted butter with 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add 2 onions, cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices, sprinkle with salt and pepper and cook slowly until well caramelized, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Thickly slice 2 pounds red and yellow beefsteak tomatoes, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with sea salt and 1/2 bunch chopped fresh chives.;
• Lay out 1/2 pound sliced bacon on a baking sheet, strip leaves from 1 sprig rosemary and throw them on top with lots of cracked black pepper and roast at 400 degrees F until the bacon is crisp, about 10 minutes.
• Stir together 1 cup mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon prepared horseradish, 1/4 cup freshly minced herbs such as parsley, basil, chives or scallion, 2 tablespoons olive oil, a little squeeze of lemon juice, and salt and pepper.

BURGER BAR

Steps:

• Combine Hellmann's® or Best Foods® Real Mayonnaise, cheese and herbs in medium bowl.
• Arrange burgers on buns, then top with mayonnaise mixture. Serve, if desired, with sliced tomatoes, lettuce, onion, pickles or our special condiments listed below.
• For AVOCADO RELISH, combine 2 diced ripe avocados, 1/2 small onion, finely diced, 1 finely chopped jalapeno or serrano chili, juice of 1 lime, 3 tablespoons finely chopped cilantro, salt and pepper to taste.
• For CHIPOTLE KETCHUP, combine 1 cup ketchup, 1 tablespoon pureed chipotle chili in adobo sauce and 1/4 teaspoon salt.
• For GREEN CHILI-PICKLE RELISH, combine 3 finely chopped grilled, peeled and seeded poblano chilis, 3 finely diced kosher pickles, 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion, 3 tablespoons each: fresh lime juice, chopped fresh cilantro and Bertolli Extra Virgin Olive Oil and 2 tablespoons honey.

BACON CHEESEBURGER SLIDER BAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. Without separating rolls, cut each package of rolls horizontally in half; arrange bottom halves in 2 greased 13x9-in. baking pans. Sprinkle each pan of rolls with 1 cup cheese. Bake until cheese is melted, 3-5 minutes., In a large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until beef is no longer pink and onion is tender, breaking beef into crumbles, 6-8 minutes; drain. Stir in tomatoes, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper. Cook and stir until combined, 1-2 minutes., Spoon beef mixture evenly over rolls; sprinkle with remaining cheese. Top with bacon. Replace tops. For glaze, in a microwave-safe bowl, combine butter, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce and mustard. Microwave, covered, on high until butter is melted, stirring occasionally. Pour over rolls; sprinkle with sesame seeds. Bake, uncovered, until golden brown and heated through, 20-25 minutes. Freeze option: Cover and freeze unbaked sandwiches; prepare and freeze glaze. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Preheat oven to 350°. Pour glaze over buns and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Bake sandwiches as directed, increasing time by 10-15 minutes, until cheese is melted and a thermometer inserted in center reads 165°.

BAR BURGERS

Steps:

• Heat griddle or cast iron pan on medium high heat.
• Without disturbing grind marks, carefully divide hamburger into 6 sections.
• Place hamburger sections on hot griddle.
• Press hamburgers down onto griddle with a heavy spatula. Use pressure. this causes the hamburgers to stick to the griddle and prevents shrinkage.
• Sprinkle tops with salt and pepper and any other spices you may want to use.
• When the edges look cooked and juices rise to the top, turn over but dont press down again.
• When bottoms are browned, and burger is to desired doneness, remove from griddle and set aside.
• Cover with foil or wax paper.
• Spread cut sides of buns lightly with butter.
• Place butter side down on griddle until lightly browned.
• Place burgers on buns and top with your favorite toppings.