Hamburger heaven

Hamburger fever 🍔

Hamburgers unhealthy? Not when it's made my way! Let me take you into the wonderful world of burgers. For the healthier version, drop the cheese.

👜-list:
• fresh tomato(es)
• pickles: try to find sweet-and-sour ones, I think these work the best for burgers.
• cheddar cheese in slices: or any other cheese you like which has the tendency to melt will work just as fine.
• fresh lettuce or salad
• shallot or red onion: red onion actually works better for this one, but I didn't feel like buying a whole bag of onions just to use one...

• hamburger buns (for a healthier version, use full wheat or multi cereal buns)

• beef burgers or minced beef

• pepper and salt

• ketchup: or any other sauce you prefer. Just please please please make the investment in a good quality sauce, it will make such a difference

• oil

Veggies: Just slice all the veggies (except for the salad) into thin slices. I think that when it's sliced thinner, it tastes better between the hamburger. It's more - how do they call that - refined, in some way.

For the beef patties: sometimes I buy already shaped beef burgers. They're simple, easy and good, so why not? However, when I made these, I got myself some minced beef and shaped them myself. The only thing I added was salt and pepper to taste! Squish it (is that even a word?) well and shape it into a meat ball. Then flatten it until you have the thickness you like. 

Next step: slightly toast the buns. You want them to be crispy but not burnt or hard. When toasted, don't leave them on a flat non aerated surface. Try putting them on a rack or the steam coming out of the buns will make them moist again, and that's not why you just toasted them.

How to 🍴:
1. Prepare the veggies, bun and patties if you didn't get store bought burgers as described above.
2. Add a tiny bit of oil (about 1 tbsp max should do it for two burgers) to a non-stick frying pan.
3. Once the oil is warm, but not hot, add the burgers. Theboil should sizzle when the meat is added but the burgers should not turn brown/black immediately. Play with the heat, because fires are not always the same.
4. When that side is fairly brown, turn it over and put the cheese on the burger. It will melt while baking. Of course if you don't like melted cheese, just add it when assembling the burger.
5. Assemble: bottom burger bun - burger (so the bread soaks up the juices) - salad - tomato - pickles - shallot - ketchup - top burger bun. Secure it with a toothpick or something alike, if you wish.
6. Enjoy your little piece of heaven!

And here's what you'll end up with! Now doesn't that just look delicious?