Grilled Burger 101

Makes 4 burgers

I must admit, I love hamburgers.  Even growing up, hot dogs were the kids favorites, but not me.  I had to have a burger.

As I write this, memories of a picnic along the Susquehanna River in Millersburg, PA.  Uncle Bob asking me "what do I want?"  My answer was a hamburger.

Ingredients

• 1-1/2 - pounds ground chuck

• 1/4 - teaspoon salt

• 1/4 - teaspoon pepper

• 4 - hamburger buns (your choice)

Prepare a medium fire in your grill.

1. While the grill is heating, mix the ground chuck, salt, and pepper in a medium mixing bowl. 
2. Mix lightly, using your hands. (Remember wash your hands before and after handling the ground beef.)
3. Place the hamburger patties on an oiled grill grid. 
4. Grill directly over the heat for 5 to 7 minutes per side for medium. 
5. Adjust your times for rare to well done. (A reminder from the US Dept of Agriculture - when cooking meat, cook it to 160 degrees inside temperature or the center is no longer pink.)
6. Toast buns split side down on the edges of the grill grid until lightly brown.

Three simple rules to making that great hamburger.

1. Do not over mix the ground beef. This ensures the ground beef not becoming tough.

2. Shape the ground beef into a uniform, flat patty. Do not make it thicker than 3/4-inch.

3. Do not press down on the hamburger while you are cooking. This presses the juices out of the meat.