Thursday, September 17, 2015

Beyond the Books: My Favorite Food

Today I'm participating in one of my favorite memes -Beyond the Books hosted by KissinBlueKaren - where we answer non-book related questions and get a peek beyond the books.  This week's topic is My Favorite Food

It's hard to think of just one!  For years the answer would've been a simple Creme Brulee and before that cheesecake but while I still love sweets I'm not sure they're really my favorite anymore.  Then there's the whole thing that what I order in a restaurant doesn't reflect what I eat at home.  I like to go a bit unusual when we're out to eat and order something I can't make or that my family wouldn't eat.  Butternut squash, Gorgonzola, and horseradish (though not with the first two) are normally the magic words to get me to order something.

However, in terms of food I crave more than any other and food I make at home it's probably the cheeseburger in it's many many forms.  Some of my favorites are - the Candied Bacon Maple Cheddar Burger from Cookies and CupsSliders with Chipotle MayonnaiseKung Pao Chicken Burgers (minus the peanuts) from Iowa Girl EatsCopy Cat Steak-n-Shake Frisco Melts from Jam HandsClubhouse Turkey Burgers (I use chicken) from Iowa Girl Eats, and tons of others.

I'm a follower of Bobby Flay's rules for burgers.  I used 80/20 Ground chuck formed into a nice sized patty with a good dent in the middle to keep from shrinking.  Then I heavily salt and pepper the outsides.  Then it's a hot skillet over medium hot heat and as little handling of the burger as possible so that nice crust can form.
If you're a cheeseburger lover his Burgers, Fries and Shakes book is a must have.  It's mostly the same burger with different sauces and toppings and everything I've made from the book is amazing.  Like I'd rather have a burger at home than in a restaurant amazing.  It took me awhile to decide what recipe I was going to share but this one seems to be the family favorite.

The Garlic Butter Burger:
12 Tablespoons unsalted butter, slightly softened
4 cloves garlic
1/2 small shallot, chopped
3 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves
kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 1/2 pounds ground chuck (80/20)
1 1/2 tablespoons canola oil
4 hamburger buns, split

Combine the butter, garlic, shallot and parsley in a food processor and process until smooth; season with salt and pepper to taste.  (I microwave the butter until it's really softened but not liquid and combine in the seasonings with a fork).  Scrape into a bowl, cover, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.  The butter will keep in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.  Bring to room temperature before using.
Divide the meat into 4 equal patties (I tend to do 6).  Form each portion loosely into a 3/4 inch thick burger and make a deep depression in the center with your thumb.  Season both sides with salt and pepper.
Brush the buns with about 4 tablespoons of the butter, using roughly 1/2 tablespoon for each half.
Cook the burgers, using the oil and brushing them every 30 seconds with the remaining garlic butter.  *Add oil saute pan and heat over high heat until oil begins to shimmer.  Cook the burgers until golden brown approximately 4 minutes per side.  To add cheese top each burger with slice of cheese and cover when there's about 1 minute left in cooking time*
Meanwhile, toast the buns.  Place the burgers on the bun bottoms, cover with the bun tops and serve immediately.

I've added cheddar cheese and it's been pretty tasty but cheeseless is pretty good too.

What's your favorite food?

20 comments:

  1. I like horseradish too. And a kung pao burger? I'll have to check that out! That Bobby Flay book looks great , may have to get that one. :)

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  2. I love cheesburgers! I never make them at home. Okay, I make very little at home (I'm not really a kitchen person) but when I go out, I will often grab a burger.

    But my most favorite foods are Mac and Cheese (the kind my dad makes), Mashed Potatoes, and Broccoli Cheese Soup (The kind my dad makes.)

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  3. Love burgers..and creme brulee...and cheesecake! Such good choices!

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  4. My husband loves a good cheese burger. :-) I don't eat hamburgers but maybe once every ten years (really!). I cut them out of my diet years and years ago, and don't miss them. No Creme Brulee or cheesecake I can get behind. :-)

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  5. I should have eaten lunch before reading this post... my mouth is watering and my stomach is rumbling now. A Candied Bacon Maple Cheddar Burger sounds beyond delicious!

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  6. Cheeseburger! I love cheeseburgers - really good drippy ones that are so bad for you. They use up all my points or a bunch of them, but are worth it on occasion. I usually eat them out, but sometimes we grill them here. Mostly, we do turkey burgers here at home. My favorite food - well, that's been changing (I hope). Hmmm....I love salmon and watermelon and dried cherries and Cherry Garcia ice cream!!!

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  7. It might be because I'm really hungry right now, but that recipe is making my mouth water!

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  8. I'm not a big cheeseburger fan but the Candied Bacon Maple Cheddar Burger sounds heavenly! Oddly, I rarely make hamburgers at home though they're simple enough. Hmmm...

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  9. Uh the sound of Candied Maple Bacon Cheeseburger has me drooling, we never have anything like this over here in Scotland! It sounds delicious!!

    Heather | Random Redheaded Ramblings

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  10. Mmm! You're making me crave burgers now! I love Bobby Flay. I used to hear he was cocky, etc. But when I had cable and watched his Throwdown show, he was always gracious and modest. I ate at his restaurant, Mesa Grill, years ago and it was off the chain. My favorite food is shellfish/crustaceans!

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  11. I am the same way when I g out to eat. I get something I can't make or I can't make at home because my husband won't eat it. We have that Bobby Flay book. I think my husband uses it when he makes his burgers too. I love his burger place too. So good!

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  12. I love horseradish, too! There is an Italian restaurant in my city that has a sweet red sauce which I have tried to replicate and failed many times, so of course their manicotti is my fave and therefore have to go out to have it. Ha! :)

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  13. I love Bobby Flay, I really need that books as I love cheeseburgers! :)

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  14. I usually order the same things I would eat at home from a restaurant. I am just realizing how sad that sounds, but I am really picky and I don't like the idea of leaving a restaurant hungry. The Candied Bacon Maple Cheddar Burger sounds delicious. The burger recipe sounds really good too, I a gonna have to try it!

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  15. You've got a great food list and I love this post. Despite the serial cheating of Bobby Flay, causing yet another divorce, I have to give him major props for his culinary genius, and you know as a cheeseburger fan,(yes, I will travel the country to try new ones-lol) I'm stealing that recipe. Hugs...Ro

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  16. I love burgers and my favorite is Red Robin's mushroom burger. I love the melted cheese! I've tried some of Bobbie's recipes and they are great. I'll have to try this one. Thanks for sharing!

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  17. Oh yum...you have me drooling! I do love a good burger :)

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  18. Im a veggie so burger...not really something I do. lol But thankfully they have some fairly decent substitutes for certain meals.

    I'm all about mac & cheese then eggplant parmesan (but only one type I make). It's so dang good. I've had a number of non eggplant parm eaters actually ask for it.

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  19. Well, damn, now I have to go get some ground chuck - it's time to play with burgers for dinner!

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