Most Tuesdays I go to Shake Shack for lunch. I love the quarter lb. smash burger, with its fluffy little Martin’s Potato Bun. Delish, but not too big and calorific. I order it with no lettuce or tomato, but lots of pickles (Cynthia really loads ’em on for me).

And most Fridays I make my own with a quarter lb. of 22% fat Wagyu ground beef. For “buns” I use two slices of Mestemacher German-baked pumpernickel, which I toast to crispiness. Radically different than the Martin’s, but equally good in its own way.

I preheat my AUS-ION steel griddle on one burner of my cooktop, and my Lodge grill press on another. I wrap the press with aluminum foil, nonstick side out, to prevent any residual grease on it from baking onto my cooktop.

I put the raw beef on another sheet of aluminum foil for transport to the griddle, then smash it with the press, which I hold until the patty has firmed enough to keep it level. In less than two minutes the patty is cooked to perfection – crispy on both sides, tender and juicy inside. With the hot press constantly on the patty, there’s very little grease spatter.

My “special sauce” is Hellman’s Mayo with herbs and seasonings mixed in: dill weed, cumin, black pepper, seasoning salt, and Cholula Green Pepper hot sauce. Crispy Claussen Dill Sandwich Slice pickles.

The patty on the griddle with the hot press over it:



Almost ready to eat. Four pickle slices, two on each side of the patty:



So good!

And it looks good too.

Oh my gosh that looks so delicious! Worth all the work.

Nice too see someone using the appropriate amount of pickles!

No cheese?

That looks really good! I see you cook the burger on the foil. Never thought of that. I have one of those Lodge presses but I really only use it when making a quesadilla, sometimes keeping bacon straight.

I haven't had pumpernickel bread in a looong while but that sounds delicious with a burger. White buns get boring no matter what you use for toppings.

Why do I keep opening threads like this?
Now I really want a good burger!

Non-stick foil? Claussen pickles? Where do you find such rare commodities?

Great smash burger method, BTW.

My wife's family from Oklahoma exposed me to this wonderful burger spice blend: Daddy Hinkles

quote:

Originally posted by corsair:
No cheese?

Or bacon?

Looks Great

I like your method of cooking but I would have to use a deeper pan. No way could I keep all that grease off the wife's glass cooktop.

Oh, I would also be adding a slice of cheese.

Hope you are carrying while you do that... some scoundrel might decide to take that jar of pickles.

I may look into getting one of those squisher thingies for my outdoor kitchen.

That looks pretty good!

I love a burger with pickles. Gimme cheese, onions and mustard too! No tomato, no lettuce, no ketchup.

If you add ketchup, you have to add mayo, and possibly lettuce, so fuck that.

Does the burger start as a perfect ball or what?

quote:

Originally posted by mbinky:
That looks really good! I see you cook the burger on the foil. Never thought of that. I have one of those Lodge presses but I really only use it when making a quesadilla, sometimes keeping bacon straight.

I haven't had pumpernickel bread in a looong while but that sounds delicious with a burger. White buns get boring no matter what you use for toppings.

I discovered this pumpernickel several years ago, and have never been without it since:

Mestemacher Westphalian Pumpernickel, 11 8.8-Ounce Packets
www.amazon.com/dp/B00176GK1O/r..._api_i_kghJFbGQN5PMJ

I love its flavor, and it’s certainly nutritious. There’s almost nothing in it but coarsely ground whole grain rye flour and water. Low calorie and lots of fiber. Unopened packets keep good at room temperature for months.

BTW – I remember your old thread:
“So Who Else Cooked Breakfast On The Grill This Morning”
https://sigforum.com/eve/forums...800026854#9800026854

Unfortunately, your photos have vanished, but you’re certainly expert at cooking on that Lodge griddle. That egg you cooked on it was perfect! And the Spam too, of course.

That makes me hungry just reading your description of how you prepared the meal! Great jog, got to try that as well.

quote:

pickles

My wife hates pickles. That's why I always keep at least 5 different variety's in the fridge at all times. Works great!! Don't have to worry about her eating any of them...