As an individual who cooks at dwelling each day, one in all my favourite features of eating out is attending to expertise meals that appears past what I’m able to doing in my very own kitchen. This isn’t to say that I couldn’t bake world-class sourdough for my morning toast, put together some award-winning barbecue in my yard, or create stunning vermouth spheres for an experimental cocktail if I needed to — I’m positive I might, with some apply. However, on the entire, letting eating places wow me with mind-blowing strategies is one thing I really do journey out for.
That stated, there are some dishes which can be simpler to do at dwelling than you would possibly suppose. And creating completely caramelized smash burgers that may rival your favourite diner, bistro, or burger joint is totally one thing you’ll be able to obtain in your personal kitchen, supplied you’ve gotten the proper instruments. Whether or not you’re keen on utilizing a griddle, a propane-powered flat high, or just a traditional pan or skillet on the range, you’re in luck proper now, as a result of Lodge’s forged iron burger press is at the moment on sale for $15.
Lodge Solid Iron Burger Press
Cooks confer with the majesty produced on the perimeters of an ideal smash burger because the “Maillard response” — aka what occurs when sugars and amino acids come into contact with the correct quantity of warmth — however you would possibly comprehend it as these crispy edges that you simply suppose can solely be produced in eating places. Spoiler alert: You are able to do it at dwelling, and simply.
Utilizing a burger press couldn’t be extra easy. Take a look at this recipe for hatch chile smash burgers, for instance (which I’m most likely going to make this weekend, holy moly). The smashing method is described thus: “Warmth a big cast-iron skillet or griddle over excessive till smoking. Add 2 tablespoons oil. Add 4 meatballs, and instantly flatten to quarter-inch-thickness with a sturdy, extensive spatula.”
Spatulas are OK for smashing burgers if you wish to undergo the labor of discovering one thing else heavy to push down on it, after which shifting the spatula round to make sure that you’ve lined the entire meatball. As a substitute, think about utilizing a 1.8-pound piece of forged iron to remodel your meat in a single fell swoop right into a dazzlingly flat, charred masterpiece. Anybody can do it! Actually, there’s a cause this factor has almost 12,000 five-star scores on Amazon.
Now simply envision having your pals or neighbors over this summer time for dinner. See their faces gentle up when, as an alternative of a giant, beefy hunk of meat whose massive bites are just too unwieldy for public viewing, you give them essentially the most picturesque smash burger they’ve ever seen. Lastly, you might be their burger lord — and it solely value you $15.