Kerry Simons Ultimate Burger Recipes

KERRY SIMON'S ULTIMATE BURGER

Steps:

• In a skillet, render the sliced bacon. Remove cooked bacon from pan and drain on paper towels, leaving rendered fat in the pan. Add the mushrooms, garlic and shallots to the same pan and cook about 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat to cool.
• In a bowl, combine the ground chuck, oil, beer, celery leaves, minced bacon, thyme and salt and pepper. Shape into patties. Grill the burgers to your desired doneness.
• Cut the brioche into slices that are about the same size as the patties and toast until golden brown.
• Add cheese, if using, to the burgers to melt. Top each burger with bacon, sautéed mushroom mixture and tomato slices, and place between slices of toasted brioche.

BURGERS

Steps:

• Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. If you're not using an outdoor grill, preheat a second grill pan over medium heat (for a side griddle).
• Gently mix together the brisket, short rib and sirloin in a large bowl. Divide the mixture into 4 equal pieces and gently form into burgers, being careful not to pack too tightly.
• Season both sides of the burgers with a good amount of salt and freshly ground black pepper.
• When the grill or first grill pan is at medium-high, place the burgers on the grill and cook to your desired temperature, 3 to 4 minutes per side for medium rare. Add a piece of cheese to each burger and cook for another minute or so until it is melted.
• In the meantime, spread the mayo on the cut side of the buns and place them over medium heat or on the secondary grill pan to toast.
• Build the burgers by placing a burger on each bottom bun and top with 2 pieces of bacon, some red onion, pickles and mustard.

ULTIMATE BACKYARD BURGER

Steps:

• For the ketchup: Saute the shallots and garlic in the olive oil in a large skillet over low heat until translucent, 4 to 6 minutes. Add the honey and cook for 2 to 3 minutes more. Add the tomatoes, corn syrup, vinegar, sugar and chipotle puree and simmer for 30 minutes. Puree the mixture in a blender or food processor, adding vegetable stock if the ketchup is too thick. Season with salt and pepper.
• For the mustard aioli: Combine the lemon juice and egg yolk in a food processor. Whisk together the canola and olive oil, and then slowly stream in until the mixture is thick and emulsified. Alternatively, this can be done in a mixing bowl with a whisk. Add the mustard, mustard powder and salt and combine. Season with more salt if needed.
• For the burger: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Heat the grill to high heat. Brush both sides of the bacon with some of the smoked chili ketchup. Place on a baking sheet and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, turning halfway through.
• Gently fold the butter into the ground meat along with the paprika and cumin. Form the beef mixture into 6 patties, and sprinkle both sides liberally with salt and black pepper.
• Brush the brioche buns on each side with olive oil and grill the insides until golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes. Grill the burgers until medium rare, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Once you flip the burger, add a thick slice of the cheese to each and keep the cover closed to let melt.
• Spread the mustard aioli on one side of the buns and the smoked chili ketchup on the other. Place the burgers on the bun cheese-side up and top each with 2 strips of bacon.

KERRY SIMON: IRON CHEF SLIDER

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°. In a heavy bottomed sauté pan on over medium heat render bacon until crispy. Add onions, celery and mushrooms and sauté until golden brown.
• Deglaze with dark beer and reduce until dry. Put ingredients aside to cool. In the meantime ,place brioche slices on a baking sheet and using a pastry brush, brush lightly with soft butter.
• When cooked ingredients have cooled, mix thoroughly with ground beef. With the ground beef mixture, form 8 square patties approximately two ounces each.
• Heat a large sauté pan to medium high. When pan is hot, add vegetable oil and place patties in one at a time being sure not to overcrowd. Cook each patty until well browned on each side (about two minutes) then flip each one and repeat the cooking process on the other side.
• When patties are cooked, place on a baking sheet and top each one with a slice of tomato and one slice of cheese. Place the tray of brioche and the tray of burgers in the preheated oven until the cheese is melted and the bread is lightly golden brown.
• Assemble Iron Chef burgers by placing one patty on top of one slice of brioche and then topping with a pickle and another brioche slice.