The Great American Burger – The Taste Of A Nation

It is difficult to name anything else that can be more directly associated with American culture than a juicy burger.

Yes, this dish seems to have always been there. The truth is, it was a long journey before millions of burgers began to be sold every day all over the world.

 

History of the American Burger

Due to the burger’s iconic popularity, many people and countries have attempted to win credit for its creation. As a result of all the disputes over the authorship, the history of the burger has become one of the most complicated and interesting stories among culinary products. That is why it might be difficult to say who exactly was that pioneer who introduced the burger to the world for the first time.

However, what is known for sure is that the first burger appeared in the USA. According to one of the most likely versions, its story began in 1885 at the Outagamie Fair, in a small town called Seymour, and is connected with the name of Charlie Nagrin. Seeking to sell more food during the fair, the man got an idea about how to please the visitors with a meat snack that could be eaten on the go. He simply put a meatball between two slices of bread. This trick turned out to be so successful that the stories about it spread quite quickly.

And, in 1900 in New Haven, a version of the modern hamburger, as we know and love it today – a round bun, a patty, and a lettuce leaf – appeared. Louis Lessing first cooked it in his food truck for a random visitor in a hurry. He was the first to come up with the idea of ​​adding salad or vegetables.

Later, in 1921, the history of this dish reached a new level: a chef named Walter Anderson from the city of Wichita (Kansas, USA), with the help of financier Billy Ingram, an investor opened the first burger restaurant. It was called “White Castle Hamburger”, and burgers were the mainstay of the menu.

Apparently, the history of the American burger is not a case where the dish gained instant popularity.

 

New Generation of Burgers

The burger is an ever-changing satisfying meal. While initially, the main advantage was their heartiness, now, burgers can be part of a healthy lifestyle as lighter alternatives have come on stage. Ground beef patties can now be replaced with chicken or fish, and those who try to cut on carbs can choose lettuce leaves instead of the usual buns.

With the latest trend of more and more people going vegan, burgers now have plant-based alternatives that are just as tasty. Vegetarian burger patties can be made of different ingredients including, for example, soybeans, whole wheat, rice, corn, or even mushrooms.

 

The Secret to a Perfect Patty

At any rate, hardly anything can compete with good old classics. At least for now.

In the traditional recipe, the core of a burger is a juicy beef patty. Choosing the right high-quality meat is key to the success of your burger.

The best choice for burgers is 80/20 ground chuck, which means 80% lean meat and 20% fat. Ground chuck is made from the cattle shoulder and has that perfect lean-to-fat ratio of 80/20 that delivers a super flavorful, juicy burger.

It is important to buy ready-made ground meat from reliable suppliers and always check the expiration date on pre-packaged ground beef before purchasing. You should also pay attention to the color: the meat must be pink. If the outside of the beef is gray it is an indicator that it is not fresh.

Freshly-ground beef will keep in the refrigerator for up to two days. Ground beef can also be frozen for up to four months.

Now, when you know everything about the meat for burgers, the only thing left is to cook them. Especially when anyone can do it at home, as it is easier than it may seem. Our new recipe will surely prove that homemade burgers can compete with those from any restaurant.

An American burger – so quick and easy, but so versatile. This is the secret of its longevity. There is no taste that a burger recipe cannot be tailored to. No matter if you are vegan or pescatarian, on a diet or not, you can always treat yourself to a delicious US burger.

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