The Bite (Issue 30): Burger season has arrived

Get ready to griddle! Over the weekend, the weather in [Chicago](~/AASU4wA~/RgRkYh7aP0RnaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc2Fsb24uY29tLzIwMjIvMDUvMDUvdGhlLW11cmt5LW9yaWdpbnMtb2YtdGhlLW1vdGhlci1pbi1sYXctYS1jaGljYWdvLXRhbWFsZS1ob3Rkb2ctaHlicmlkL1cDc3BjQgpicdqZf2KLE46UUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44NUBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAACU~) finally took a turn away from freezing and as temperatures continue to climb up into the mid-80s, all the grills at the park across my street have been in constant use. Every time I go out, I see a new set of groups clustered around the grills, futzing with charcoal and clacking [sets of tongs](~/AASU4wA~/RgRkYh7aP0RXaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc2Fsb24uY29tLzIwMjIvMDEvMDIvdGhlc2UtY2hlYXAtdG9vbHMtd2lsbC10cmFuc2Zvcm0teW91ci1jb29raW5nLWluLTIwMjIvVwNzcGNCCmJx2pl_YosTjpRSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg1QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAJQ~~). Most are making burgers and I can’t wait to get out there with them. That said, as commonplace as burgers are, it’s sometimes hard to make a version at home that stacks up to restaurant varieties. But fear not — here are five tips for making better at-home burgers so you can impress your friends and family when it’s your turn behind the grill this summer. No commercial kitchen needed. Make sure you’re buying the good meat (and that you treat it correctly) Sometimes when you make burgers at home, you open up in anticipation of a juicy, umami-packed bite, but are instead disappointed. The patty is tasteless and maybe a little gristly. What gives? It’s likely the quality of the meat you’re using. It’s no secret that for our personal health and the health of our planet, [eating less meat](~/AASU4wA~/RgRkYh7aP0R5aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc2Fsb24uY29tLzIwMjIvMDIvMjMvY29jb251dC1yaWNlLWJyZWFrZmFzdC1ib3dscy1tdXNocm9vbS1yYWctYW5kLXRpa3Rvay10b2FzdC10aGUtZGlhcnktb2YtYS13ZWVrZGF5LXZlZ2FuL1cDc3BjQgpicdqZf2KLE46UUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44NUBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAACU~) is a better choice. Part of that, though, means buying better meat from more reputable suppliers when you do choose to put it on your grocery list. Do a little research to see if any[farmer’s markets](~/AASU4wA~/RgRkYh7aP0RgaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc2Fsb24uY29tLzIwMjEvMDgvMTQvZmFybS10by10YWJsZS1ob3ctdG8tc2hvcC1zbWFydGVyLWF0LXlvdXItbG9jYWwtZmFybWVycy1tYXJrZXQvVwNzcGNCCmJx2pl_YosTjpRSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg1QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAJQ~~) or [local butcher shops](~/AASU4wA~/RgRkYh7aP0R0aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc2Fsb24uY29tLzIwMTkvMTIvMDgvd2hhdC1pcy10aGUtbmV4dC1wb3JrLWJlbGx5LWhvdy1tZWF0LXRyZW5kcy1zdGFydC1zaXp6bGUtYW5kLXVsdGltYXRlbHktZml6emxlLW91dC9XA3NwY0IKYnHamX9iixOOlFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAl) in your area carry beef from organic producers in your region; it may be a little pricier than the supermarket variety, but it’ll be worth it. Note that grass-fed beef tends to have a more “mineral-y” taste, which people tend to associate with the savoriness of beef, while grain-fed beef is sweeter and has a little more marbling. Go with your personal preference. Be sure though to purchase a blend that has at least 25% fat, especially if you are cooking to rare or medium rare. After all, [fat is flavor](~/AASU4wA~/RgRkYh7aP0RtaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc2Fsb24uY29tLzIwMjEvMDcvMjgvNS10aXBzLWZvci1idXlpbmctYmV0dGVyLWJ1dHRlci1hdC10aGUtZ3JvY2VyeS1zdG9yZS1hY2NvcmRpbmctdG8tYW4tZXhwZXJ0L1cDc3BjQgpicdqZf2KLE46UUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44NUBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAACU~). One of the most common mistakes made when cooking burgers (and I’m definitely guilty of this) is overworking the patty. Think of it like [bread dough](~/AASU4wA~/RgRkYh7aP0RkaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc2Fsb24uY29tLzIwMjIvMDMvMzAvdGhlLW9uZS1zaW1wbGUtdGlwLXRoYXQtbWFkZS1teS1ob21lbWFkZS1mb2NhY2NpYS1pbnN0YW50bHktYmV0dGVyL1cDc3BjQgpicdqZf2KLE46UUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44NUBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAACU~), in a way. While it can be really satisfying to really get your hands dirty and punch into the ground meat mixture, it can just dry out the burger. To that end, try to avoid the pre-formed patties at the supermarket. Instead, make your own patties at home — making sure to adequately season with salt, pepper and a little garlic powder if you’re feeling spicy — and then place them on a parchment-covered baking sheet in the refrigerator until you are ready to cook them. Putting chilled meat directly on a flaming grill or hot skillet, and then quickly pressing down with a spatula, allows the patties to get a good sear while also locking in moisture. Invest in a few simple tools Instead of grilling their burgers directly on grates, most restaurants use a flat-top griddle because they are great for batch-cooking and maintaining a consistent temperature. You can mimic this at home by using a flat-bottomed, heavy cast iron skillet and heating it either over the stove or grill. Additionally, a good, metal spatula really does do wonders. Instead of the flat plastic or silicone varieties that you may use to peel hot cookies off a baking sheet, get something with a sharp metal edge. This aids in flipping the patties without losing the good caramelized bits that you achieved when searing them. Melt your cheese the right way Another bonus of using a cast iron skillet to make your burgers is that it can actually help you melt your cheese the right way. You may be wondering how many ways there are to [melt cheese](~/AASU4wA~/RgRkYh7aP0RSaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc2Fsb24uY29tLzIwMjEvMDYvMjYvdGhlLWJlc3QtY2hlZXNlLWZvci1jaGVlc2VidXJnZXJzLXBlcmlvZF9wYXJ0bmVyL1cDc3BjQgpicdqZf2KLE46UUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44NUBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAACU~), but think about what happens when you place a [cold slice of cheese on your mostly-grilled burger](~/AASU4wA~/RgRkYh7aP0R0aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc2Fsb24uY29tLzIwMjIvMDUvMTEvYS1uZXctd2F2ZS1vZi1wb2xpdGljaWFucy1hcmUtc2hlZGRpbmctdGhlLW1pc2NvbmNlcHRpb24tdGhhdC1jb29raW5nLWFuZC1kb250LW1peC9XA3NwY0IKYnHamX9iixOOlFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAl). It never quite achieves that creamy, melty consistency. What you should do instead is, once your burger is almost fully cooked, [put your cheese on top](~/AASU4wA~/RgRkYh7aP0RfaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc2Fsb24uY29tLzIwMjEvMDkvMDcvd2FzLXRoZS1jaGVlc2VidXJnZXItYWN0dWFsbHktaW52ZW50ZWQtaW4tbG91aXN2aWxsZS1rZW50dWNreS9XA3NwY0IKYnHamX9iixOOlFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAl), add a splash of water to the skillet and cover it with a lid. The steam from the water hitting the hot pan is captured under the lid and quickly melts the cheese. Toast those buns It’s a simple tip, but it makes a big difference. Add a quick spread of butter, non-dairy butter or a little oil to your burger buns, then toast them in the same skillet where you made your burgers. Once they are golden-brown and just a little crispy, they’re ready to be pulled off the heat. When it comes to toppings, balance is key You’ve got a delicious patty, perfectly melted cheese and a toasty bun. Now, it’s time for toppings. When I make burgers at home, I like to keep it pretty simple: sliced tomato, shredded iceberg lettuce, a couple slices of pickle, white onion and [homemade burger sauce](~/AASU4wA~/RgRkYh7aP0RfaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc2Fsb24uY29tLzIwMjEvMDUvMjMvdGhlLWtleS10by1iZXR0ZXItYnVyZ2Vycy1tYWtlLXlvdXItb3duLXNwZWNpYWwtc2F1Y2UtYXQtaG9tZS9XA3NwY0IKYnHamX9iixOOlFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAl). Whatever you do, keep the idea of balance in mind. You might want something cooling and acidic to stand up to the fattiness of the cheese and burger, like sliced avocado or a little [giardiniera](~/AASU4wA~/RgRkYh7aP0R_aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc2Fsb24uY29tLzIwMjEvMDQvMjUvZ2lhcmRpbmllcmEtdGhlc2Utb2xpdmUtb2lsLWJhdGhlZC1pdGFsaWFuLXBpY2tsZWQtdmVnZXRhYmxlcy1iZWxvbmctb24tYWxsLXlvdXItc3ByaW5nLW1lYWxzL1cDc3BjQgpicdqZf2KLE46UUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44NUBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAACU~). Or, you may want to play up the caramelized notes of the beef by augmenting your burger with smoky barbecue sauce or brown-sugar bacon. Take note of the topping combinations from your favorite restaurant burgers and use that as a template for experimenting at home. In this week’s The Bite, Salon Food’s weekly food newsletter, I dug into the archives for some of my other favorite early-summer dishes, ranging from sauces to salads. — Ashlie Stevens, deputy food editor. *** If you found yourself here without subscribing, make sure to sign up for [The Bite](~/AASU4wA~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-VwNzcGNCCmJx2pl_YosTjpRSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg1QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAJQ~~) so you don't miss anything! *** Some of our other favorite summer dishes - [Prep these two summer sauces for when it's too hot to turn on the oven](~/AASU4wA~/RgRkYh7aP0RnaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc2Fsb24uY29tLzIwMjEvMDYvMDYvcHJlcC10aGVzZS10d28tc3VtbWVyLXNhdWNlcy1mb3Itd2hlbi1pdHMtdG9vLWhvdC10by10dXJuLW9uLXRoZS1vdmVuL1cDc3BjQgpicdqZf2KLE46UUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44NUBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAACU~) - [Ice cream loaf is your new favorite kitchen sink frozen treat](~/AASU4wA~/RgRkYh7aP0RfaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc2Fsb24uY29tLzIwMjEvMDYvMTYvaWNlLWNyZWFtLWxvYWYtaXMteW91ci1uZXctZmF2b3JpdGUta2l0Y2hlbi1zaW5rLWZyb3plbi10cmVhdC9XA3NwY0IKYnHamX9iixOOlFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAl) - [Ina Garten would "happily" eat this salad every day — it's that good](~/AASU4wA~/RgRkYh7aP0RiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc2Fsb24uY29tLzIwMjIvMDEvMTcvaW5hLWdhcnRlbi13b3VsZC1oYXBwaWx5LWVhdC10aGlzLXNhbGFkLWV2ZXJ5LWRheS0taXRzLXRoYXQtZ29vZC9XA3NwY0IKYnHamX9iixOOlFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAl) - [The perfect pasta for hot summer nights stars fresh tomatoes and buttery brie](~/AASU4wA~/RgRkYh7aP0RvaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc2Fsb24uY29tLzIwMjEvMDgvMTAvdGhlLXBlcmZlY3QtcGFzdGEtZm9yLWhvdC1zdW1tZXItbmlnaHRzLXN0YXJzLWZyZXNoLXRvbWF0b2VzLWFuZC1idXR0ZXJ5LWJyaWUvVwNzcGNCCmJx2pl_YosTjpRSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg1QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAJQ~~) - [Garden overrun with cucumbers? Use them to make midori-zu, a vibrant Japanese green vinegar](~/AASU4wA~/RgRkYh7aP0R7aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc2Fsb24uY29tLzIwMjEvMDcvMTEvZ2FyZGVuLW92ZXJydW4td2l0aC1jdWN1bWJlcnMtdXNlLXRoZW0tdG8tbWFrZS1taWRvcmktenUtYS12aWJyYW50LWphcGFuZXNlLWdyZWVuLXZpbmVnYXIvVwNzcGNCCmJx2pl_YosTjpRSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg1QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAJQ~~) Your weekend dinner plans This is the time of year that my meal planning is a little looser than the winter. In fact, my shopping starts in the produce section and kind of evolves from there. When I was at the store earlier this week, I noticed that early season peaches were in and they looked (and smelled beautiful). I’m planning on [grilling them](~/AASU4wA~/RgRkYh7aP0RmaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc2Fsb24uY29tLzIwMjAvMDUvMzEvc3VtbWVyLXNuYWNrLXJlY2lwZXMtcGVhY2hlcy1ibHVlYmVycmllcy13YXRlcm1lbG9uLXJhZGlzaC1zbmFwLXBlYXMvVwNzcGNCCmJx2pl_YosTjpRSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg1QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAJQ~~), topping them with way too much whipped cream and a couple mint leaves. With dessert settled, I’m thinking of something light like a grain bowl garnished with Maggie Hennessy’s [versatile pickled pepper dressing](~/AASU4wA~/RgRkYh7aP0RKaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc2Fsb24uY29tLzIwMjIvMDQvMDcvYS12ZXJ5LXZlcnNhdGlsZS1waWNrbGVkLXBlcHBlci1kcmVzc2luZy9XA3NwY0IKYnHamX9iixOOlFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAl). Grain salad. From our columnists - [What mom really wants for Mother's Day (or any day) is barbecue chicken pizza](~/AASU4wA~/RgRkYh7aP0RhaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc2Fsb24uY29tLzIwMjIvMDUvMDcvd2hhdC1tb20tcmVhbGx5LXdhbnRzLWZvci1tb3RoZXJzLWRheS1pcy1iYXJiZWN1ZS1jaGlja2VuLXBpenphL1cDc3BjQgpicdqZf2KLE46UUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44NUBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAACU~) (Mary Elizabeth Williams) - [A new wave of politicians are shedding the misconception that cooking and politics don't mix](~/AASU4wA~/RgRkYh7aP0R0aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc2Fsb24uY29tLzIwMjIvMDUvMTEvYS1uZXctd2F2ZS1vZi1wb2xpdGljaWFucy1hcmUtc2hlZGRpbmctdGhlLW1pc2NvbmNlcHRpb24tdGhhdC1jb29raW5nLWFuZC1kb250LW1peC9XA3NwY0IKYnHamX9iixOOlFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAl) (Ashlie Stevens) - [Everything we know about Dolly Parton's "Mexican Pizza: The Musical"](~/AASU4wA~/RgRkYh7aP0RiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc2Fsb24uY29tLzIwMjIvMDUvMTAvZXZlcnl0aGluZy13ZS1rbm93LWFib3V0LWRvbGx5LXBhcnRvbnMtbWV4aWNhbi1waXp6YS10aGUtbXVzaWNhbC9XA3NwY0IKYnHamX9iixOOlFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAl) (Ashlie Stevens) What we’re reading - [For a Touch of Retro Whimsy, Restaurants Are Turning to the Illustrated Menu](~/AASU4wA~/RgRkYh7aP0RKaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZWF0ZXIuY29tLzIzMDY4ODE4L2lsbHVzdHJhdGVkLW1lbnUtdHJlbmQtbWFuaGF0dGEtZGFubnktbWV5ZXJXA3NwY0IKYnHamX9iixOOlFIbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAl) (Eater) - [One Good Thing: The Two Fat Ladies proved pleasure was for every body](~/AASU4wA~/RgRkYh7aP0RIaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudm94LmNvbS8yMzAzNDAxNS90d28tZmF0LWxhZGllcy1jb29raW5nLXNob3ctYm9keS1wb3NpdGl2aXR5VwNzcGNCCmJx2pl_YosTjpRSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg1QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAJQ~~) (Vox) - [Cake Zine: Sexy Cake](~/AASU4wA~/RgRkYh7aP0QZaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuY2FrZXppbmUuY29tL1cDc3BjQgpicdqZf2KLE46UUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44NUBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAACU~) Our mailing address: 1000 N. West Street, Suite 1200 Wilmington, DE 19801 [Unsubscribe from this list](~/AASU4wA~/RgRkYh7aP0Q8aHR0cHM6Ly9yZWFkLmxldHRlcmhlYWQuZW1haWwvdGhlLWJpdGUvdW5zdWJzY3JpYmU_aWQ9QDM0NTA5VwNzcGNCCmJx2pl_YosTjpRSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg1QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAJQ~~) Copyright © 2022 The Bite, All rights reserved. [Made with Letterhead [Letterhead logo]](~/AASU4wA~/RgRkYh7aP0QiaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvbmVwbm83czh5c1cDc3BjQgpicdqZf2KLE46UUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44NUBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAACU~)