Jeff Mauro Smash Burgers Recipes

GRILLED PRIME CHEESETEAK TACOS

Steps:

• Put the tenderloin on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze for 1 hour. Flip the tenderloin and freeze for another hour. Use a very sharp knife to slice the meat as thinly as possible.
• Roast the poblano directly over an open flame, turning regularly, until blistered and blackened all over, about 5 minutes. Put in a bowl, cover with a kitchen towel and let cool for at least 10 minutes. Rub off the blackened skin, remove the stem and seeds and slice into 1/4-inch strips.
• Heat a cast-iron griddle over medium-high heat on one side and medium-low heat on the other side. On the cooler side, drizzle with olive oil, add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender and beginning to char, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the roasted poblano to the onions and cook for another 3 minutes.
• Sprinkle the meat with a generous amount of salt and pepper. Drizzle the hot side of the grill pan with olive oil, then lay the meat in a single layer, in batches if necessary. Cook very quickly on the first side, about 1 minute. Flip and cook on the other side, another minute or so. Repeat the process until all the meat is cooked. Reserve in a bowl along with the onions and pepper until you are ready to serve.
• Heat both sides of the griddle over medium-high heat and oil lightly. Arrange the tortillas in a single layer on the griddle and heat about 30 seconds per side, then wrap in a clean kitchen towel to keep warm.
• To build the tacos: In a warm tortilla, layer some meat, spoon on a couple of tablespoons of Cheese Sauce, add a few of the pepper and onions and top with the pickled cherry peppers.
• Set a medium saucepan over low heat. Add the evaporated milk and Dijon and whisk together until uniform and smooth. Toss the Cheddar, pepper jack and blue cheese with the cornstarch in a bowl until totally coated. Whisk the cheese mixture into the milk mixture and heat, stirring constantly, until all the cheese is melted and the sauce is silky and smooth, about 5 minutes. Keep warm over low heat until ready to use.

GRIND-YOUR-OWN CHICKEN SHAWARMA BURGERS

Steps:

• Put the chicken cubes on a baking sheet and put in the freezer until very firm, about 30 minutes. Put the blade and bowl of a food processor in the freezer as well.
• Meanwhile, mix together the cumin, paprika, turmeric, garlic, allspice, chili, cinnamon and 1 tablespoon salt in a bowl. Mix in the olive oil to make a paste.
• Working in 2 batches, put the firm, almost-frozen chicken into the cold food processor and pulse 10 to 15 times until coarsely chopped. Transfer the chopped meat to a bowl and repeat with the remaining chicken cubes. Add the spice blend paste to the meat and mix to gently combine. Divide the meat into 4 balls and flatten into 3/4-inch-thick patties.
• Prepare a grill for medium-high heat. Clean and oil the grates. Brush each patty with some oil, then season with a bit of salt and pepper. Grill until the inside of the patties registers 160 degrees F, about 5 minutes per side. Let the burgers rest for 5 minutes. Butter and toast the rolls.
• Burger Build: On each roll bottom, place 1 leaf of romaine, then a burger and some giardiniera. Add a nice schmear of the Lemon Tahini sauce on each roll top.
• Vigorously whisk the tahini, lemon zest and juice, honey, olive oil and 2 tablespoons water together in a bowl until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper.

SMASH BURGERS

Steps:

• Place a 9-in. cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Meanwhile, gently shape beef into 4 balls, shaping just enough to keep together (do not compact). , Increase burner temperature to medium-high; add oil. Working in batches, add beef. With a heavy metal spatula, flatten to 1/4- to 1/2-in. thickness; sprinkle each with 1/8 teaspoon salt and pepper. Cook until edges start to brown, about 1-1/2 minutes. Turn burgers and sprinkle with additional 1/8 teaspoon salt and pepper. Cook until well browned and a thermometer reads at least 160°, 1 minute. Repeat with remaining beef., Serve burgers on buns with toppings as desired.

CRAB RANGOON

Steps:

• For the sweet and sour sauce: Add the sugar, pineapple juice, vinegar, cherry syrup, ketchup and salt to a 3-quart saucepan over medium-low heat and cook, stirring, until the sugar is dissolved. Combine the cornstarch with 1/4 cup water in a bowl and mix well; add this to the sugar mixture. Turn the heat to medium-high and cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens, 3 to 4 minutes. Chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
• For the wontons: Combine the crab, cream cheese, green onions, soy sauce and Worcestershire sauce in a large bowl. Mix well to combine; I found using your hands can sometimes be the best way. Lay out the wonton wrappers on a clean work surface. Place 1 tablespoon of the crab mixture in the center of each wrapper. Moisten the edges of the wrappers with a little of the egg wash, then fold each into a triangle. Press to seal the wontons, squeezing out any trapped air; this will ensure that the wontons stay closed during frying.
• Heat 2 inches oil in a deep-fryer or a Dutch oven to 375 degrees F. Fry a few wontons at a time until golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes. When you add the wontons to the oil, the temperature will drop about 10 degrees. Try to keep the temperature maintained at 360 degrees F. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate or sheet pan fitted with a wire rack. Repeat with the remaining wontons. Serve with the sweet and sour sauce and enjoy!

SMASHED SAUSAGE AND PEPPER BURGERS

Steps:

• Form the Italian sausage in 4-ounce patties a little bit wider than the buns you are using. Heat the oil in a cast-iron skillet over medium heat. In batches, cook each side of the patties until crisp and golden and no longer pink in the center, about 8 minutes a side.
• Line the cooked sausage patties on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Place some Sweet Peppers on top, then a slice of cheese. Broil in the oven until the cheese is melty and golden brown. Place on the griddled buns and serve with red sauce.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Toss the pepper strips with the oil, garlic and some salt and pepper, and place in a 9-by-14-inch baking dish. Bake, stirring halfway through, until the peppers become lighter in color and soft, about 20 minutes.