Juicy hamburgers

Ingredients:

Hamburgers

• 0.7 kg ground beef from the neck or shoulder
• 1 teaspoon coarse salt
• Spice mix, recipe below (optional)
• 1 tbsp. vegetable oil
• 4 slices cheese, such as cheddar, American, Saga blue, or Swiss (optional)
• 4 soft hamburger buns, cut horizontally in half
• 4 slices of beef heart tomato (optional)
• Salad greens such as romaine, watercress, or iceberg lettuce
• Mustard, such as Dijon or French (optional)
• Mayonnaise (optional)
• Ketchup (optional)

Spice mix

• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 2 tsp onion powder
• Hot sauce, to taste

Preparation:

1. Preheat oven to 230°C. Place a roasting rack on a foil-lined baking sheet in the oven.
2. Using your hands, break the ground meat into small pieces and spread it evenly but loosely on a parchment- or waxed paper-lined baking sheet. Spread the meat out and sprinkle generously with salt and black pepper. Add a spice mix, if desired.
3. Divide the minced meat into 4 portions (approximately 170 grams each). Using your hands, form each piece into a ball, gently tossing it from one hand to the other. Do not squeeze the minced meat too hard. Gently shape each ball into patties approximately 8 cm wide and 2.5 cm thick.
4. Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium-low heat for 5 minutes. Increase the heat to high and add the vegetable oil. Add the patties and cook, turning once, until well-browned, about 2 minutes per side.
5. Using a spatula, transfer the patties to the oven rack and continue baking until desired doneness: 8-9 minutes for medium, 10-11 minutes for medium, and 13-15 minutes for well done. If using cheese, place the slices on top of the patties a few minutes before they're done to allow them to melt.
6. Transfer the patties to a plate and let them rest for a few minutes before assembling. Meanwhile, toast the hamburger buns. Assemble the burgers with your choice of toppings and serve.
   
   Spice mix: Mix all ingredients and use the mixture.
7. If you are grilling on an electric grill, turn it on first, let it preheat, and then add the patties.
   
   

   Grilling time on an electric grill

   
   Medium Rare: Grill for 3 minutes, covered, then unplug and continue grilling, covered, for another 2-3 minutes.
   
   Medium: Grill covered for 4 minutes, then unplug and continue grilling covered for another 4 minutes.
   
   Well done: Grill for 5 minutes, covered, then turn off the grill and continue grilling, covered, for another 5 minutes.