Thumper
05-31-2014, 06:57 AM
I have to pass this one on. Back in the late 70's, I worked at a Cadillac dealer in Hollywood, Ca. Down the street was a gourmet hamburger joint that a few of the guys and I would frequent for lunch ... maybe once/week or so. It was reasonably priced and the burgers were made to order. They had a big menu board on the wall and I remember they had all sorts of weird sounding burgers, but I usually stuck with the "norm". One burger on the board intrigued me ... a peanut butter and jelly burger! I asked the owner one day if that was a serious menu item, or simply a joke. He said it's very popular and I should try one. I politely declined and he said, "Tell you what, I'll make one for you and if you don't like it, I'll make whatever you want and won't charge you for the PB&J burger." Heck, what do I have to lose other than a little time? It was a bacon cheeseburger with creamy peanut butter and grape jelly ... and I LOVED it! From that day forward, it's the only burger I ever ordered there.
Over the years I kind of forgot about it, but yesterday Lynn and I were talking about something (don't remember what) and for some odd reason, that burger came to mind. I told her about it and she said she'd make one for me for supper. WOW! It not only brought back great memories, but it will now be a regular request. I'd forgotten how good they are! TRUUUUUST me, there's NOTHING not to like ... other than maybe the sound of it. If you're even half way adventurous with your food choices, put this on your "must try" list! I found this recipe on the net. I'm not sure why he has you cook it in a ball and smash it ... I was always told NOT to do that as it squeezes all the juices out ... but "maybe" that's the point ... maybe it shouldn't be too juicy. (???)
Peanut Butter and Jelly Bacon Cheeseburger
Prep time: 15 mins Cook time: 8 mins Total time: 23 mins
Serves: 1
Ingredients:
½ lb ground chuck
½ tsp salt, to taste
3 slices of Nueske's bacon, or your favorite, cooked
2 tbsp reserved bacon grease
1 tbsp unsalted butter
1 sturdy hamburger bun, lightly toasted
2 slices of medium cheddar cheese
3 tbsp creamy peanut butter
3 tbsp grape jelly
Burger Instructions:
Start by gently forming your ground chuck into a ball. Season with half of the salt.
Heat a large cast iron skillet on medium to medium high heat. Add in the reserved bacon grease and let the come up to a light smoke.
Add the ball of ground chuck, salt side down, and let that get nice and hot, cooking for about 3 minutes, left alone.
During this time, spread the butter onto the bun, and toast on a skillet. Once toasted, remove and set it to the side.
After three minutes, use a large, sturdy burger spatula and smash it down. Literally smash it down, spreading it out if you have to, but try not breaking up the ground chuck. Let this cook for another minute or so, sprinkle with the remaining salt, then flip. You will end up with some great caramelization on the patty. Cook another few minutes, then top with the cooked bacon, and top that with the cheddar cheese. Lower the heat.
Peanut Butter and Jelly Bacon Cheeseburger:
While the steam and fat melt that cheese, spread the grape jelly on the bottom bun. Spread the peanut butter on the bottom of the top bun.
Use the spatula to remove the burger, gently tilting to remove any residual burger grease. Lay this onto the jelly, and top with the peanut butter bun. Gently push down so that the peanut butter begins to melt.
Take a picture, do whatever, but get excited. Get very excited, then take a bite. Again, call me crazy, but this burger had everything I ever wanted in a burger. You get that creamy, warm peanut butter that gets perfectly balanced by the smokey bacon and salty cheese, then kabaam! You get this awesome, perfect sweetness from the jelly. This has that sweet, savory, umami that one would only want, and expect in a great burger.
Over the years I kind of forgot about it, but yesterday Lynn and I were talking about something (don't remember what) and for some odd reason, that burger came to mind. I told her about it and she said she'd make one for me for supper. WOW! It not only brought back great memories, but it will now be a regular request. I'd forgotten how good they are! TRUUUUUST me, there's NOTHING not to like ... other than maybe the sound of it. If you're even half way adventurous with your food choices, put this on your "must try" list! I found this recipe on the net. I'm not sure why he has you cook it in a ball and smash it ... I was always told NOT to do that as it squeezes all the juices out ... but "maybe" that's the point ... maybe it shouldn't be too juicy. (???)
Peanut Butter and Jelly Bacon Cheeseburger
Prep time: 15 mins Cook time: 8 mins Total time: 23 mins
Serves: 1
Ingredients:
½ lb ground chuck
½ tsp salt, to taste
3 slices of Nueske's bacon, or your favorite, cooked
2 tbsp reserved bacon grease
1 tbsp unsalted butter
1 sturdy hamburger bun, lightly toasted
2 slices of medium cheddar cheese
3 tbsp creamy peanut butter
3 tbsp grape jelly
Burger Instructions:
Start by gently forming your ground chuck into a ball. Season with half of the salt.
Heat a large cast iron skillet on medium to medium high heat. Add in the reserved bacon grease and let the come up to a light smoke.
Add the ball of ground chuck, salt side down, and let that get nice and hot, cooking for about 3 minutes, left alone.
During this time, spread the butter onto the bun, and toast on a skillet. Once toasted, remove and set it to the side.
After three minutes, use a large, sturdy burger spatula and smash it down. Literally smash it down, spreading it out if you have to, but try not breaking up the ground chuck. Let this cook for another minute or so, sprinkle with the remaining salt, then flip. You will end up with some great caramelization on the patty. Cook another few minutes, then top with the cooked bacon, and top that with the cheddar cheese. Lower the heat.
Peanut Butter and Jelly Bacon Cheeseburger:
While the steam and fat melt that cheese, spread the grape jelly on the bottom bun. Spread the peanut butter on the bottom of the top bun.
Use the spatula to remove the burger, gently tilting to remove any residual burger grease. Lay this onto the jelly, and top with the peanut butter bun. Gently push down so that the peanut butter begins to melt.
Take a picture, do whatever, but get excited. Get very excited, then take a bite. Again, call me crazy, but this burger had everything I ever wanted in a burger. You get that creamy, warm peanut butter that gets perfectly balanced by the smokey bacon and salty cheese, then kabaam! You get this awesome, perfect sweetness from the jelly. This has that sweet, savory, umami that one would only want, and expect in a great burger.