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A BBQ guide to burgers

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Author: Katie Mae Hewitson
BBQ burgers

Burgers have come a long way since the
18th century when immigrants from
Germany first combined low grade meat
and spices to form the hamburg in the
united states, known now simply as the
The word Hamburger is loosely used to
describe a patty made out of meat.
They now may contain any type of meat
including kangaroo, buffalo, vegetable, elk, ostrich or even salmon burgers. Countries all over the world may display hamburgers on their menus. The United States is probably the most known place for hamburgers simply for their explosion of fast food restaurants which offer them on their menus. Although Fletcher Davis is recognized as the inventor first serving" hamburger" in his cafe and later bringing them to the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair it is impossible to truly say who the first person to invent them was. In 1895 Louis' Lunch wagon was established selling steak and hamburger sandwiches. Still running today, Louis' Lunch claims they were the first to place the hamburger between two slices of white toast for an office worker who was in a rush in the 1900s. It wasn’t until 1916 when the hamburger bun was invented by a fry cook named Walter Anderson who went on to invent the iconic fast food restaurant called White Castle.

The hamburger has had many names with all the same underlining ingredient, minced beef. During World War 1 Americans no longer wanted to call the burger by its German roots but began calling it a Salisbury steak. Although a Salisbury steak now a day is consider a patty of meat which Americans cover in gravy rather than placing it in a bun. With the addition of toppings, burgers took on their own unique names.

A “slider” is known as a small burger patty punched with 5 holes to allow it to cook evenly and eliminate the need to flip the burger. It is topped with diced onions and pickle and is able to be consumed with approximately two bites

The “Patty Melt” is a beef burger topped with Swiss cheese, sautéed onions then placed between two pieces of rye bread which are then buttered and fried.

The “juicy Lucy” is a beef burger which has cheddar cheese in the middle of it . When fully cooked the cheese comes oozing out as the burger is consumed.

A “slopper” is common in southwest America and is topped with red or green Chile.

BBQ burgers are beef burgers which are placed on a grill to cook. Once cooked on one side the burger is flipped and topped with BBQ sauce. The burger is complete when the BBQ sauce has completely caramelized on top. IT is then served in a bun with your favourite toppings.

Mushroom Swiss burger is as its name suggests just that, a beef burger topped with caramelized onions , cooked mushrooms topped with Swiss cheese place on a toasted bun often served with mayonnaise.

A “loose hamburger” is spiced ground beef topped with homemade chilli, freshly chopped onions and mustard. This burger is found in most “Coney island” restaurants in Michigan.

A “Frita “is a Cuban hamburger. The minced burger is combined with egg, paprika, milk, 100 island dressing, ketchup, bread crumbs, salt and pepper and ground onion. All the ingredients are combined, formed into small balls and fried off in a pan. The meat is then placed into a bun and topped with lettuce, onions, shoestring potatoes and spicy ketchup.

With so many different variations to choose from its no wonder the hamburger is a popular choice served all over the world.

Cooking burgers on a BBQ

Burgers on a BBQ
To cook burgers on a grill or BBQ all you need to do is follow a few simple rules, it's not a complicated process

1. To start with buy the best quality burgers you can find, the best chefs in the world can't make a poor quality burger taste good.

2. Buy a burger press and press your burgers before putting them on the BBQ, this will make the burgers even ensuring the burger cooks at the same rate it will also give a nice griddle effect on the burger.

3. Flip the burgers regular (every 2 minutes) so both sides are cooked the same

4. Add black pepper while the burgers are cooking on the BBQ, the most effective seasoning is during the cooking process it makes a big difference.

5. Don't burn the burgers, if you think they are cooking to quickly take them off the BBQ and wait for a few minutes then start cooking again, if you burn the burgers it's most likely the inside will not be cooked

6. Cooking time can take from 6 minutes to 12 minutes depending on the burgers weight and size, once the burgers are cooked place them on a platter to rest for 2 or 3 minutes.

7. Have fun with the toppings, onions, mushrooms, lettuce, tomatoes, sauces, cheese, bacon the combinations are endless, check out our burger suggestions below.
Barbecue catering team - Our favorite burger recipes

Here at barbecue catering HQ we are lucky enough to have chefs and staff from around the world so as you can imagine creating recipes and ideas is never an issue.
I asked two of the barbecue catering staff how they like their burgers:

BEE (in house chef) Is originally from Thailand and makes the most amazing thai food we have ever tasted but how does she like her burgers? - "Tripple cheese and chilli marinade, it's very popular in the North East of Thailand"

Not something I've ever tried but now we know what we are having for lunch, here is the recipe for you to try yourself.

Bee's triple cheese and chili marinade Thai burger

1 x 4oz beef burger
Soft cheese spread
Grated cheddar cheese
Soy sauce
Red chilies
Sunflower oil

1. Simply cook the burger as normal for 5 or 6 minutes
2. Finley chop the onion, red chilis and garlic and add to a mixing bowl
3. Add a drop of soy sauce and sunflower oil and mix into a paste
4. Slice a basil leaf and add to the mixture
5. Spread the soft cheese top and bottom of the bun
6. Place the burger on the bottom bun and spread a covering of the paste
7. Add the mozzarella and finally the grated cheese on the top
8. Burger is now complete and ready to eat

Now for my own burger :-) as I am from the good old US of A.... as you can imagine I've tried a lot fo burgers over the years and it's difficult to pick the best one but here is a recipe I'm sure you will enjoy.

Katie's Mom's homemade burger

When you read this recipe it might not sound that appetizing but I assure you it is worth trying it.

When I was younger we had to make every penny count and that was especially true when it came to feeding a family of four at super time.

500g minced meat
200ml oats
2 eggs, beaten Salt and pepper Mix together, then form patties and cook on the grill.

This recipe not only taste good but increases the amount of food being served making your pound go further !