Friday, April 9, 2010

Burger Bunches

So it's been a while since I last blogged, and I'm trying to get into the habit of doing it more often, but life is too busy, I can't even describe it. Well, back to food, shall we?
I made the most delicious burger in class the other day. I called it "Whiskey BBQ Burger with Cajun Fries". Scrumptious. This is something EVERYONE needs to try at least once in their lives. I'll be honest though, I don't measure anything. Why should you, go with your instincts, not a recipe. So I have to give you the recipe for that! Also, about a month ago, Matthew and I made "Loco Moco". It's a famous dish from Hawaii that is eaten daily there. Basically, it's rice, burger, over easy egg, and gravy. Now, I know exactly what you are thinking, "Like Hamburger Helper, right?" NO! This is nothing like that crap, it is delicious, a revelation with simple products. Hamburger meat doesn't just have to be for burgers, that's why you should make the Loco Moco! So recipes anyone? WATCH OUT RED ROBIN!!!!

Whiskey BBQ Burger with Cajun Fries

Ingredients:
(Burger)
-2 lb of ground beef (Fat and meat ratio up to you)
-2 cups of ketchup
-1/2 cup of water
-1/4 cup of whiskey, preferably Jack Daniel's
-1/4 cup Molasses
-1/2 cup packed brown sugar
-2 tbsp of honey
-1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar (or red wine vinegar)
-2 tbsp of Worcestershire sauce
-1 tbsp of red pepper flakes
-2 tbsp of onion powder
-1 tbsp of garlic powder
-2 tsp of paprika
-1 tsp of dry mustard powder
-Cheddar cheese, cubed
-Hamburger Buns
-Condiments, Lettuce, Tomatoes, Onions(I like to saute them), maybe some Avocado

(Cajun Fries)
-4 russet potatoes, cut into fries, preferably skinned
-Equal parts of spice mix, 2 tbsp of cumin, paprika, cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, onion powder, chili powder, garlic powder
-1 tsp of cinnamon, pepper, and salt

Directions:
-Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
-For burger, combine everything except the meat, whisk well. If it is too sweet add more Worcestershire sauce, if it's too sour add more brown sugar.
-Put the meat in a separate bowl and pour 3/4 of the sauce of the meat. Put the remaining sauce in a sauce pan and put it on medium low heat.
-Mix the meat and sauce until it is all well coated and let it marinate in the fridge for 20-30 minutes.
-Get a large skillet and cover it with oil spray(PAM), and put it on medium high to high heat.
-For fries, heat up a deep fryer to 350 degrees. If you do not have a deep fryer, than fill up a heavy, deep skillet with about 2 inches of oil(canola or sunflower work best). If you don't want to waste oil, then you can just pan fry the potatoes, turning it on each side.
-Combine all the spices together and mix well.
-Take the meat out after they have been marinating and make patties. Take a cube of cheese and place it in the middle of the burger and cover it with the meat. When the oil and the skillet is hot enough place the burgers in the skillet. Place the fries in your oil and let it cook.
-While that is cooking, get your toppings ready. Place buns in the oven to toast.
-When buns are done, put a little bit of that bbq sauce from the sauce pan on the buns. Stack with your favorite topping. Place burger on the bun.
-For the fries, get a large bowl, and line with paper towels. Place fries in there and coat with your HOMEMADE Cajun seasoning, and give it a toss or two.
-Serve and enjoy my friends!
Loco Moco

Ingredients:
-1 lb ground beef (not lean)
-1/4 cup grated onions (optional)
-TT salt and pepper
-1 can good beef broth
-Flour for thickening
-2 tbsp of butter
-Couple dashes of Worcestershire sauce
-4 eggs
-Hot cooked rice (whichever kind you like the best and however much you want)

Directions:
-Preheat oven to 250 degrees.
-Start by cooking the rice first.
-Gently mix meat, grated onions, and salt and pepper. Form either 2 big patties or 4 small patties.
-Heat the large deep pan until very hot. Place the patties on the pan and let sear until juices start appearing on the top. Flip over the burger for a couple more minutes. You will want the burger slightly charred but still tender on the inside. When done, wrap the burgers in foil and put in oven.
-Pour a little broth into the same pan and incorporate the fond (drippings on the bottom of the pan), then pour the rest of the broth.
-Bring to a boil and let reduce and let reduce for about 3-5 minutes or so, depending on taste, for a more potent gravy.
-Turn down heat to a simmer. Add couple dashes of Worcestershire sauce.
-In a seperate bowl, mix flour with some water. Use equal parts of flour and water. Using a whisk, slowly whisk in the flour/water mixture until gravy is nicely thick & smooth. Turn off heat and mix in the butter until well blended. -Traditionally, the eggs should be sunny-side up. I like to cook it over easy. Do not over cook the egg! It helps to have the eggs thawed to room temp before cooking them. -When assembling on your plate, it goes rice, burger, egg, and then gravy all over! -Serve and enjoy! Aloha, Bra!





"I'm not telling you, 'Never eat a hamburger.' Just eat the good ones with real beef, you know, like the ones from that mom-and-pop diner down the street. And it's so good that when you take a bite out of that burger, you just know somewhere in the world a vegan is crying."
-Homer Simpson

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