Hamburger

Whenever I am getting ready to go on my bi-annual cleanse I allow myself one binge day and of course that includes my “last meal.” (It’s not really a last meal per say, but my last “bad” meal for 11 days.) This round I knew I needed something completely indulgent. I decided on one of my favorite types of burgers, a classic patty melt. A juicy ground beef patty smothered in cheddar and Swiss cheeses, some caramelized onions, and of course some 1000 island dressing. Heaven between two toasted slices of buttered sourdough toast. Go big or go home right? Well if you are looking for one of the best burger recipes ever give this a try. It is totally basic and completely wonderful!

INGREDIENTS
1 lb ground beef
2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
salt and pepper
4 tbsp butter, divided
1 large yellow onion thinly sliced
4 slices cheddar cheese
4 slices Swiss cheese
8 slices sourdough bread
1000 island dressing

STEPS

Mix together the ground beef, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper.
Form the meet into four thin patties.
Melt two tablespoons of the butter in a skillet over medium high heat.
Add the sliced onions and cook stirring frequently until they are a nice golden brown color, about 15 minutes.
While the onions are cooking heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the patties.
Cook the patties for 5 minutes and then flip over.
Add a slice of Swiss and a slice of cheddar to each patty.
Continue cooking the burgers for another 5 minutes or until cooked through.
Toast the slices of sourdough bread and spread one side of each slice with butter.
Spread the opposite side of each slice with a generous amount of 1000 island and keep them dressing side up.
Place a heap of the caramelized onions on 4 slices of the bread.
Add the cooked patty to the piles of onions and place the remaining slices of bread on top, dressing side down.
Binge!

Growing up my dad used to live on the edge of Wyoming, right up against the Idaho border. I would go out and visit him several times a year. He lived in this gorgeous 3-story ranch house right next to a sheep farm. I always loved looking at the sheep. Especially in winter when those cute little white fluffy lambs were out in a snow-covered field. It wasn’t until I was a young teenager that I discovered that those cute little fluffy white sheep were raised to be someone’s dinner. I was appalled that anyone could eat such a cute little creature! That is, until I got my first taste of lamb. Yum-o! Sorry lamby, you taste too good not to eat.

Lamb is absolutely delicious and, in my opinion, like no other meat. It has this absolutely delicious rich flavor that is unlike any other meat. I have been wanting to try making lamburgers at home for sometime now but it can be difficult to find ground lamb. Just about every year my dad purchases and entire lamb from the sheep farm. When I saw him a couple of weeks ago he happened to still have some of the ground lamb leftover from his last purchase, so I bummed it off him just so that I could make these exotic burgers. These were mind blowing good. I felt so bad for my husband because he happened to have a cold when I made them and was unable to taste much of anything. Looks like I am going to have to make them again very soon. Aw shucks!

INGREDIENTS
1/2 c mayonnaise
2 tsp cumin
1–1 1/2 lb ground lamb
salt and pepper
olive oil
block of feta cheese sliced
red onion slices
green leaf lettuce
4 burger buns

STEPS

In a small bowl combine the mayonnaise and cumin and set in the fridge until ready to use.
Season the ground lamb with salt and pepper.
Form the ground meat into 4 thin patties.
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the meat patties to the hot skillet and cook for 3–4 minutes.
Flip the patties and add the slices of feta cheese to the patties.
Continue cooking the lamburgers for another 4 minutes.
While the meat is cooking, lightly toast the buns in the oven.
Reduce the heat to low, and while the cheese finishes melting spread a good amount of the cumin mayonnaise onto the cut side of both the top and bottom buns.
Arrange the lettuce and red onion on the bottom half of each bun.
Top with the most delicious lamburger patty ever.
Add the top of the bun to your masterpiece and enjoy!