Stove Top Hamburgers

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Yesterday the weather sucked.  It was the kind of weather that makes you want to stay in all day wearing a hoodie watching TV.  So after work that is what we did.  Now I am a bona fide Food Network junkie - there is very little I won't watch... but one of my favorites is Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives.  Other than foodgawker and tastespotting I can't think of anything more consistently drool-worthy than the food on Triple D.  So when the Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives marathon started Nick and I settled in to watch it!  My only problem with the show is it always, always, leaves me craving some diner food.  Today was no exception.  But with the rainy dreary weather grilling was not an option.  So stove-top burgers were it!

On Triple D I consistently watch the chefs make truly fantastic looking hamburgers using nothing more than a flat top or a pan and the oven.  They say the trick is a very hot pan and a little salt and pepper.  I knew I could easy get both of those so it was time to give this a try!

These burgers are super easy and come out fantastically juicy and delicious without needing the help of the open flame.  The trick is to... do nothing!  That's right.  After they are in the pan you will do two things: flip them once and put them in the oven.  That's all.  All you need is a good sear on each side to lock in the juices and a pre-heated oven.  These are so good you may have to kiss your grill good-bye (or at least save it for something that needs the grill... like my Barbecue Chicken Kebabs).  Seriously these couldn't be any easier - driving to McDonald's will take more time than just making these!

Stove-Top Hamburger Recipe

Ingredients

yields 2 hamburgers

2/3 lbs lean ground chuck

1/4 t. salt

1/4 t. black pepper

2 hamburger buns

1 T. butter

Any toppings you like (cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomato, onion, etc.)

Directions

1) Pre-heat the oven to 400 degrees.  Place a medium size oven safe pan on the burner over medium-high heat.  Allow the pan to heat up completely until very warm.  If you don't have an oven-safe pan then simply heat a regular pan and have a baking sheet with rimmed edges off to the side for the baking part. 

2) Shape the ground beef into two thick patties and season each side with the salt and pepper.

3) Place the patties in the pan.  If the patties don't instantly sizzle remove from the pan; it isn't warm enough yet to get a good sear.  Allow the pan to continue to heat up for another minute or two.

4) Sear the patties over medium-high heat for 2 minutes per side.  Transfer directly to the preheated oven; if your pan is not oven proof place the patties on a rimmed cookie sheet (to avoid grease spills) and place the patties in the oven.

5) Bake for 6-8 minutes (6 for medium and 8 for medium-well).  Remove from oven and allow to stand for two minutes before serving to lock in the juices.  If you would like cheese on the burger place the cheese slices on now and cover the pan with a lid to allow the cheese to melt.

6) While the burgers rest melt the butter in a pan and place the buns in the melted butter.  

7) Serve immediately with fries and a cold beer... or milkshake! :)