Smash Burgers with Kimchi Mayo

 

Makes: 4 burgers

Ingredients for the Burger:

• 1 pound ground beef – 20% fat (80/20 is usually on the package or ask your butcher)
• salt
• pepper
• 4 potato rolls or sesame hamburger buns
• 4 slices of American cheese

Ingredients for Kimchi Mayo:

• 1 cup good quality mayonnaise (Sir Kennington's and Dukes are my go to)
• 1 tablespoon kimchi juice
• ¼ cup sliced cabbage kimchi, rough chopped
• 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
• 3 scallions, trimmed and cut into roughly, 2” inch pieces – then sliced lengthwise
• olive or avocado oil

Procedure:

1. Preheat a skillet or griddle on medium low while we prep everything else (we aren’t grilling these so you need a flat pan).
2. Drain your kimchi, and rough chop your kimchee. Add to the mayo and stir with sesame oil and kimchi juice – set aside.
3. Toss the scallion pieces with oil and add to the pan – let them fall and don’t disturb for about 4 minutes.
4. Toss once and let them sear again for another minute.
5. Remove beef from fridge, we will make two different sized patties so they stack perfectly.  Grab a plum size piece of beef place on the griddle. Then grab a lime size piece and place on the griddle. 
6. Sprinkle the tops of the portions with salt and pepper and place seasoned side down on your griddle or pan.
7. Place and smash with a burger press or the back of a pan or spatula.
8. Season that side with salt and pepper & sear for about 3 - 4 min.
9. Flip add cheese and sear for another minute.
10. In the meantime – smear top bun with kimchee mayo.
11. Add burger to the bottom bun, top with charred scallions and top bun.