Preparation time: 15 minutes
Grilling time: 14-20 minutes
Yield: 4 servings
1
1
⁄
2
pounds ground chuck
1
⁄
4
teaspoon salt, or to taste
1.
Combine the ground chuck, salt, and pepper in a medium mixing bowl, mixing
lightly but thoroughly, using your hands. Shape the mixture into four patties,
each
3
⁄
4
inch thick in the center and at the edges. (Even thickness ensures even
cooking and prevents the edges from drying out before the center is cooked.)
2.
Place the patties on grill. Grill for 7 to 10 minutes per side, turning once.
(According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, all ground meat should be
cooked to at least medium doneness—160ºF—or until the center of the patty is
no longer pink.) Make a small incision in the center of each patty to determine
doneness.
3.
Toast the buns by placing them, split side down, on the edges of the grill grid
for about 1 minute or until lightly browned.
4.
Remove the burgers from the grill and serve on toasted hamburger buns.
Variation Section:
Italian Burger:
Add the following ingredients to the ground meat mixture:
1 egg yolk,
1
⁄
4
cup grated onion, 1 large clove garlic minced, 2 tablespoons
chopped fresh basil or 2 teaspoons dried crushed basil,
1
⁄
2
teaspoon dried
oregano, and salt and pepper to taste. Place grated Parmesan cheese on top
of each burger (if desired) about 2 minutes before the burger is done and grill
until the cheese melts.
Mexican Burger:
Add the following ingredients to the ground meat mixture:
1
⁄
4
cup finely chopped onion,
1
⁄
2
to 1 teaspoon seeded and chopped jalapeno
pepper,
3
⁄
4
teaspoon ground cumin, and salt and pepper to taste. Serve on
toasted buns or in warmed tortillas with a prepared tomato salsa or taco sauce,
and slices of ripe avocado.
Asian Spiced Burger:
Add the following ingredients to the ground meat mixture:
1
⁄
4
cup finely chopped scallions, 3 tablespoons teriyaki sauce, 1 large clove garlic,
minced, and salt and pepper to taste.
7
1
⁄
4
teaspoon pepper
4 hamburger buns
Basic Burger
840081900 Ev01.qxd 2/20/01 10:14 AM Page 7
