Smash Cheeseburger & Rings

Method

1. 1

   Just before the class begins, take out the beef and remove its packaging. Pat dry with paper towels and allow it to sit at room temperature on a plate to temper.* Fill a large pot half way with oil and place over medium heat. Chiffonade the lettuce. Slice off ½-inch of onion at the root end. Peel and slice the remaining onion into rings. Grate the cheddar cheese. Grate the reserved onion and the garlic.

2. 2

   Slice your buns and spread with a thin layer of the mayo. In a small mixing bowl, mix together the 1 cup mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, a splash of pickle juice, the grated onion and the grated garlic. Divide the beef into 4 even patties and set aside in your refrigerator. In a large skillet or on a griddle over medium heat, lightly oil your pan with canola oil. Toast your buns, mayo side down. Set aside.

3. 3

   Set up your breading station: in one mixing bowl, stir together the flour and a teaspoon of truffle salt or flaky sea salt. In a second mixing bowl, add the egg. In a third mixing bowl, add the breadcrumbs. Begin running your onion rings through the breading system. First coat in flour, then eggs, and finally breadcrumbs. Set the breaded rings on a parchment-lined sheet tray. Once all rings are breaded, move them into the hot oil and fry until golden brown, about 3 minutes. Remove from the fryer and place on a wire-lined sheet tray. Make sure to have a little chef snack!!

4. 4

   Get ready to cook up your smash burgers!! Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium-high heat. Once warm, add in a couple tablespoons of canola oil. Remove your patties from your fridge and smash between two sheets of parchment paper. Remove one sheet of parchment paper and season the exposed side of the burger with truffle salt or flaky sea salt. Once your oil is lightly smoking, add one or two patties into the pan, seasoned side-down.

5. 5

   Season the other side with truffle salt or flaky sea salt and cook until the burger is nice and golden brown, 1-1½ minutes. Flip the burger, top with the grated cheddar cheese and then place the lid over the pan Cook for 1-2 minutes until the cheese is nice and melty. Remove the patties from the heat and repeat with the two remaining patties Assemble your burger with all the fixins, including the onion rings!!

6. 6

   Enjoy your burger!!! Nice work, Chef!