Hell Burger (the best burger EVER)

We can't take full credit for this idea. We watched an episode of Man vs. Food and they were visiting a restaurant that served up these delightful little burgers. We almost wanted to take a drive to Amarillo TX just to taste them. We then decided to try and make our own to save the 15.5 hour drive. Our first couple of goes at it were fun and tasty but we have now mastered the approach and these have become very popular. Our friends and family talk about them for weeks after we make them a round of Hell Burgers. They really love them. By the way, they are just as good without the Jalapeno's for your not-so-daring friends.

The (Semi Famous) Hell Burger

Warning: this is a hot one. Our 9 year old can handle it though.

2 lbs. Quality Ground beef

1 Medium or Large diced onion

Season to Taste (Salt, Pepper, Lawry's Steak Seasoning,)

1 Egg per 2 pounds of meat

Lettuce

Tomato

Shredded Cheddar Cheese

Thaw ground beef and mix in onion, egg and salt and pepper. Also add in Lawry's Season Salt. Mix with hands and make into patties, ours are usually about 1/3 pound patties.

Preheat the electric griddle to 400 degrees cook the burger on one side for 3 to 4 minutes uncovered to sear it. I like sprinkling a coat of Lawry's seasoning and some cayenne pepper on the burger as it first starts cooking. Then flip it over and place under a metal bowl (See picture), these help to cook the meat all the way through and make it cook a little faster. I estimate that we cook for about 5 - 8 minutes then flip it over and do another 5 minutes on the first side.

Once you place the bowl on the burger put the jalapenos (sliced to make little circles) on the griddle. Brown (slightly). When you flip the burger place the Jalapenos on top of the patty. Keep under the bowl until fully cooked. When almost done put a handful of shredded cheese on top of the burger covering the Jalapenos. Cover again for 30 to 60 seconds to melt the cheese. Then serve it up with your choice of toppings and condiments. Our favorite is on my homemade wheat buns (see below) with just ketchup and mustard although on the show they put lettuce and tomato on as well.

Honey-whole wheat bun recipe

3 c. whole wheat flour

1/3 c. honey

1/4 c. shortening or butter

1 tbs. salt

2 pkg yeast (2 Tbs)

2 1/4 c. very warm water

3 to 4 c. whole-wheat flour

Combine in a glass bowl: honey, shortening (butter), salt, and water. Heat in microwave for 1 minute until hot (not boiling hot)

In your mixer put 3 cups of whole-wheat flour, crate a little cavity in the flour and pour the yeast in. Then pour hot ingredients on top and mix for about a second. Check to see if the water is bubbly, if it is that means your yeast is good (alive). Turn the mixer back on to a slow setting and continue adding flour very slowly as it mixes. When the dough comes off of the sides of your mixer the you have added enough flour. Let the dough continue to mix (knead) for 5 minutes. Place it in big bowl with damp towel over the top. Tip: heat helps the dough rise quicker, place it next to your hot oven.

After the dough has doubled in size, make into dinner rolls size balls (a little bigger than a golf ball). Smash as flat as you can. I even use a rolling pin. Place on a greased pan and then in oven. Then slice the rolls to make your bun.

Preheat Oven: 375

Bake Time: 10-12 minutes