Sunday, November 15, 2015

3737. AGED BEEMSTER and SMOKED BACON BURGER with FRENCH FRIES


serves four


Burger Patties
1 tablespoons canola oil
1½ lbs lean ground beef, rolled into 4 (6-oz) balls
4 slices double-smoked bacon
Salt and pepper, to taste
8 slices aged Beemster
4 brioche buns
1 tablespoon (15 mL) butter
8 slices hot banana peppers
4 leaves Boston lettuce
¼ cup mayonnaise

French Fries
2 lbs russet potatoes, washed, skin on
A deep fryer or pot of canola oil set to 325ºF
Salt, to taste

Burger Patties: Add canola oil to a cast iron frying pan on medium high heat and add two 6-oz balls of ground beef to the pan. Add the double smoked bacon to the same pan and using a spatula press down the chuck to flatten them into a patty shape. Add a generous amount of ground salt and pepper and flip the burgers over, cook for 3 minutes per side. Add sliced Beemster to the warm burger and top with the crispy bacon. Toast the brioche buns in the oven with a touch of butter. To finish the burgers add your favourite toppings, my choice would be hot banana peppers, mayonnaise and Boston lettuce. Repeat with remaining patties.

French Fries: Cut potatoes into even and uniform pieces, about 3-inch x ¼-inch. Soak fries in the cold water for about 30 minutes. This removes some of the excess starch and surface sugars which can burn in the frying process. Drain french fries from the water, and pat dry to remove excess water. Heat a heavy stockpot fitted with a deep-fry thermometer with oil to 325ºF. Carefully, add 2 handfuls of fries to hot oil. There should be at least 1-inch of oil above the French fries. Blanch until fries are light brown, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove fries, gently shaking off excess oil and let drain on rack. Repeat until all of the potatoes are blanched. Raise heat of oil to 350ºF. Cook French fries again, 2 handfuls at a time, until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Remove from oil, shake off excess oil, lightly season in a bowl with salt. Repeat until all potatoes are cooked.


bacon recipe source: Craig Harding, Chef in Your EarFood Network Canada

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