Christmas Cooking Day 2: The World's Best Hamburger

I was three-quarters of the way through my burger when I realized that I had not taken a picture of it! Friends, use your imagination and know this:  This is the best burger recipe.  It is a no-fail star!  We only have them about twice a year but when we do, there is a little party going on in our kitchen. And after the stress of watching the Steeler-Bengal game, we needed a little party (thank goodness the Steelers won - or I may have had to postpone this meal).

The World's Best Hamburger
Adapted from The Food Network Magazine


The World's Best Hamburger

Ingredients
Serves 4

2T oil
1 large onion, finely chopped
1/4 cup mayonnaise
2T ketchup
1T sweet pickle relish
2lb ground beef chuck (60% lean)
1/2 t white vinegar
4 hamburger buns
Iceberg lettuce
Tomato slices
1/4 c yellow mustard
8 slices of American cheese

A note first:  60% lean!  Yes,  you are going all here...go back on the diet tomorrow.  This burger demands the fat.  Enjoy it.  And use yellow mustard...not Dijon or something fancy.

1.  Heat oil  in a large skillet over medium-low heat.  Add the onions and 1/4 tsp salt, cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden and soft, about 30 minutes.  Uncover, increase the heat to medium-high and continue to cook until cartelized, about 8 more minutes.  Add 1/2 cup water to the skillet, scrapping up any brown bits.  Simmer, stirring until the water evaporates.  Set aside.

2.  Mix the mayonnaise, ketchup, relish and vinegar in a bowl.  Set aside.

3.  Shape the beef into 8 patties.

4.  Heat a skillet, griddle or fire up the grill.  Toast the buns.  Spread each bun bottom with 1T of the sauce.  Top with lettuce and tomatoes and add another dollop of the sauce.

5.  Season both sides of the patties with salt and pepper.  Cook the patties for three minutes.   Spread about 1 1/2 tsp mustard on the uncooked side of each patty and flip.  Continue cooking about two more minutes.  Top each patty with a slice of cheese.

6. Place one patty atop the lettuce/tomato.  Spook a layer of onions over the top and then place the second patty on top.  Top with the remaining top bun and serve immediately with lots of napkins!

I said not to get fancy...but it did go really well with a glass of hearty red wine instead of beer.

Enjoy!