Caramelized Citrus Smash Recipes

CITRUS SMASH COCKTAILS (OR MOCKTAILS!)

Steps:

• Place the mint leaves, fruit slices, simple syrup, and either lemon curd or orange marmalade (depending on which flavor you're making. SEE NOTE) in the bottom of a cocktail shaker.
• Use a cocktail muddler or the end of a wooden spoon to muddle the flavors together and smash the fruit/herbs.
• Pour in the vodka and add ice to the cocktail shaker. Shake well.
• Pour in a glass filled with ice, about half way up the glass. Top with club soda.
• Garnish with fruit slices and mint.
• Enjoy!

CHERRY CITRUS SMASH

Steps:

• Put the lemon wheels, orange wheels and stemmed maraschinos in a small pitcher and muddle with the back of a spoon. Add the lemonade and vodka, if using, and stir well.
• Fill 4 rocks glasses with crushed ice and then fill by two-thirds with the cocktail. Top off the glasses with ginger beer and garnish each with a maraschino.

CARAMELIZED CITRUS

Steps:

• Using a small, sharp knife, cut off the tops and bottoms of the oranges and grapefruit, then slice the peel off them vertically, taking care to remove all the white pith below the skin of the fruit.
• Spoon the yogurt onto a platter or into a large bowl. Turn each fruit on its side, then slice it into rounds that are between 1/4-inch and 1/8-inch thick. Place the sliced fruit on top of the yogurt in an attractive pattern, then place the platter or bowl into the refrigerator.
• Make the caramel. Put the sugar in a large sauté pan set over medium heat, then add to it 1/2 cup or 125 milliliters of water, and swirl the pan to dissolve the sugar. Let the mixture come slowly to a boil, without stirring, then lower heat slightly, and cook until the syrup has gone a very deep amber color, approximately 5 to 6 minutes. Remove from heat, add the saffron to the caramel and swirl to mix it in.
• Pour the caramel over the sliced fruit. Return to the refrigerator for an hour or so, or serve right away.

CITRUS-GRAPE SMASH COCKTAIL

Steps:

• Add lemon juice, agave, grapes and mint springs to a cocktail shaker. Muddle everything together with a muddler or the base of a wooden spoon until the grapes have released their liquid and the mint is fragrant, about 10 seconds. Add in the vodka and fill the shaker with ice. Place the top on and shake vigorously for 10 to 15 seconds.
• Fill an 8- to 12-ounce glass with ice and strain the cocktail into the glass. Garnish with mint, if using, and serve.

SMASHED HAMBURGERS WITH CARAMELIZED ONIONS

Steps:

• Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large (12-inch) sauté pan over medium heat, add the onions, and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are tender and starting to brown. Add the sugar, reduce the heat to low, and cook for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are browned and caramelized. Add the vinegar and cook for 30 seconds to deglaze the pan.
• Meanwhile, combine the dry mustard, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a small bowl. Place the ground beef in a medium bowl and sprinkle on the mustard mixture. With your fingers, lightly work the mustard into the beef and shape into four 1-inch-thick patties. Place them on a plate and freeze for exactly 15 minutes.
• Heat a large (12-inch) cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 1/2 tablespoons oil. From the freezer, place the burgers directly in the hot skillet. With a large metal spatula, firmly press each burger into the pan. Cook the burgers for 2 1/2 to 3 minutes, without moving them, so the bottoms get browned and crusty. Flip the burgers, then spoon on the onions and sprinkle the Gruyère on top. Place a lid on the skillet and cook the burgers for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the burgers are medium-rare inside. Place one burger on each roll and serve hot with ketchup on the side.