Ultimate Christmas Burger Recipes

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.

THE ULTIMATE VEGGIE BURGER

Steps:

• Heat oven to 425 degrees. Slice tofu into 1/4-inch-thick slabs and pat dry with paper towel. Arrange tofu on one half of a rimmed baking sheet; brush both sides with oil. Spread mushrooms on the other half of the baking sheet; toss with 2 tablespoons oil and salt and pepper.
• On a second rimmed baking sheet, toss beans and grated beet with 1 tablespoon oil and salt and pepper, then spread the mixture into one layer.
• Transfer both baking sheets to the oven. Roast bean-beet mixture, tossing occasionally, until beans begin to split and beets are tender and golden, about 15 minutes. Roast mushrooms and tofu until golden and most of the liquid has evaporated, about 25 minutes. Let everything cool.
• Place nuts in a food processor and pulse until coarsely ground. Add cooled bean-beet mixture, mushrooms, tofu, panko, cheese, eggs, mayonnaise, scallion, garlic, pimentón and 3/4 teaspoon salt. Pulse until ingredients are just combined. Pulse in tempeh and rice but do not overprocess. You want small chunks, not a smooth mixture. Scrape mixture into a bowl and chill at least 2 hours or up to 5 days (you can also freeze the burger mix).
• When you are ready to make the burgers, divide mixture into 6 equal portions and form each portion into a patty about 1 inch thick. Return to the fridge until just before grilling. They grill better when they start out cold.
• Heat the grill. Cook the burgers over a low fire until they are charred on both sides and firm when you press on them, 4 to 6 minutes per side. If they start to burn before they firm up, move them to the sides of the grill to finish cooking over indirect heat. Alternatively, you can cook these on a grill pan or in a skillet over low heat.

THE ULTIMATE BURGER

Steps:

• Cut steak into 1 1/2-inch pieces and season with 11/2 teaspoon salt. Chill in a sealable bag 4 to 6 hours.
• Rinse steak under cold water, then pat dry. Grind using a meat grinder with a 3/8-or 1/4-inch die or finely chop in a food processor. Form into 6 balls and flatten into patties about 1 inch thick and 4 inches in diameter. Chill until ready to grill.
• Prepare grill for direct-heat cooking over medium-hot charcoal (medium-high heat for gas); see Grilling Procedure .
• Season burgers with 1/4 teaspoon pepper (total). Lightly oil grill rack. Grill burgers, covered only if using a gas grill, turning once, about 5 minutes total for rare or 6 minutes for medium-rare. (Burgers will continue to cook slightly once removed from grill.)

GORDON RAMSAY'S ULTIMATE BURGER

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients.
• Form into patties, cook as desired.