The Perfect Hamburger

Source: William Sonoma Website
SERVERS: 4
PREP TIME: ~30 min
COOKING TIME: ~10 min

Notes:

For health reasons, all ground meat should be cooked at least to the medium-well stage.

Instructions

Prepare a charcoal or gas grill for direct grilling over medium-high heat.

In a large bowl, mix together the beef, yellow onion, garlic, salt, pepper and Worcestershire sauce.

Form the mixture into 4 patties, each 3⁄4 inch thick.

Grill the hamburgers directly over medium-high heat, 3 to 5 minutes on the first side.

Turn over and cook the opposite side, 3 to5 minutes (If making cheeseburgers, place a slice of cheese on top of each hamburger) and toast the hamburger buns, cut side down, on the grill.

Check for doneness by cutting into a hamburger near the center (no pink should show on the inside) or

testing with an instant-read thermometer (at least 160°F for medium-well)

Serve the hamburgers on the buns with tomato, white onion, lettuce, dill pickle and condiments.

Ingredient List

• 1 lb. ground lean beef
• 2 Tbs. finely chopped yellow onion
• 1 tsp. minced garlic
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. freshly ground pepper
• 2 dashes of Worcestershire sauce
• 4 hamburger buns, split
• Sliced tomato for serving
• Sliced sweet white onion, such as Maui, Vidalia or Walla Walla, for serving
• Torn lettuce for serving
• Sliced dill pickle for serving
• Ketchup, mayonnaise, mustard or other condiments of your choice for serving
• 4 slices cheddar or Swiss cheese (optional)

For an Asian twist, omit the Worcestershire sauce and salt, add a dash of soy sauce, and use chopped green onion instead of yellow onion.

For a French-style hamburger, omit the Worcestershire sauce, halve the salt, and add 1 Tbs. each of crumbled blue cheese and chopped mushrooms along with a dash of red wine.

For a Provencal flavor, omit the Worcestershire sauce, double the garlic, and add 1 Tbs. each of chopped dried tomatoes and pitted black olives.