Sloppy Joes and Caramelized Onion Burgers

Here's another post with some delicious burger recipes, including one for gourmet Sloppy Joes (think slowly simmering beef) and another for a Caramelized Onion Burger, which calls for freshly-chopped rosemary. It's from a great book all about burger recipes called "The Burger: An Action Packed Delicious Adventure."

Title: The Burger: An Action Packed Delicious Adventure
Excerpt:

Caramelized Onion Burger

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: less than 15 minutes
 
Rosemary-scented burgers get dressed up with silky caramelized onions, focaccia, and sharp manchego cheese.
 
Makes 4
 
1 pound fresh ground beef
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon finely chopped fresh rosemary
vegetable oil, for frying
1/2-3/4 cup shredded manchego cheese or manchego cheese slices
1/2 cup mayonnaise
4 pieces focaccia, about 6x6 inches and halved
Caramelized Onions (see page 202)
romaine lettuce leaves
tomato slices
 

1. Place the ground beef in a medium bowl with the salt, pepper, and rosemary and gently mix to combine, then divide into four equal portions and shape each portion into a patty.
2. Place a large skillet or griddle pan over medium-high heat. Add enough oil to coat the bottom of the skillet. Add the patties and cook for about 4 minutes, without moving, until the burgers are brown and come away easily from the pan. Turn and cook for 2 minutes, then place some cheese on top of each burger and cook for an additional 2 minutes, or until cooked to your liking.
   

Spread the mayonnaise on the focaccia. Place the burgers on the bottom pieces of the foccacia, top with caramelized onions, lettuce leaves, and tomato slices, add the lids, and serve immediately.

Sloppy Joes

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
 
The secret to a great sloppy joe is slowly simmering the beef mixture until it's rich and tender. By the way, you should always serve sloppy joes with a fork, but you should never need to use it!
 
Makes 4-6
 
1 1/2 pounds fresh ground beef
1/2 onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 green bell pepper, seeded and diced
2 cups water
3/4 cup ketchup
1 1/2 tablespoons light brown sugar
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
dash of Worcestershire sauce
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
cayenne pepper, to taste
4-6 hamburger buns, halved
potato chips, to serve (optional)
 

1. Put the ground beef and onions into a large cold skillet and place over medium heat. Cook, stirring, breaking up the meat into small pieces with a wooden spoon, until it begins to brown.
2. Add the garlic and green bell pepper and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Add half the water. Cook until simmering, scraping up any sediment from the bottom of the pan.

Stir in the ketchup, sugar, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and the remaining water. Bring to simmering point, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for 30-45 minutes, or until most of the liquid has evaporated and the meat mixture is thick, rich, and tender. Spoon the beef mixture onto each bun bottom. Add the bun lids and serve immediately with potato chips, if desired.

- from "The Burger: An Action Packed Delicious Adventure"