How to Make Your Own Beef Burgers | Rouxbe Recipe

Summer + Eating a Grilled Burger = A Very Happy Place to Be!

I have been a huge fan of Steven Raichlen for quite some time. I enjoy watching his BBQ programs on PBS and my cooking library is stocked with many of his books. My most recent favorite is called Planet Barbecue. What I love about this book, and about Steven Raichlen in general, is his honest and flashy-free approach to cooking. He focuses on the food and travels miles to find the true source in order to share some of the most sensational dishes from around the world. What I also like about him is that he doesn't act like a big-shot celebrity. He seems down to earth, often credits other cooks and is humble enough to say he learned something from them. He also believes in using the freshest of ingredients and stays true to technique. If you love to grill, the book is fantastic. I secretly would love for him to cook for me one day

We were at NWCAV a while back doing some work and it was burger day. The school teaches the same burger-making process as described in Raichlen's book and in our text recipe for Homemade Beef Burgers. Making your own burger from scratch is not difficult...you just need to have a few things:

a meat grinder (many stand mixers come with this attachment)

quality meat - visit your local butcher for a combination of chuck and brisket (according to Raichlen, the brisket provides richness and the chuck, a rich, beefy flavor)

the softest buns you can find because the whole burger experience can be just so-so if you don't have the right bun

and your favorite toppings. You can even place the condiments into small glass dishes to make your barbecue a bit fancier

No barbecue sauce, no fancy spices...simple salt and pepper will do as they allow the flavor of the meat to come through. In under 40 minutes, you'll be able to serve up some of the juiciest burgers.

Canada Day and the 4th of July are coming up, so invites some friends over and let them build their own. With these burgers, you're guaranteed to have one of the best barbecues of the season! BTW, what are your favorite burger fixings?

Happy Burger Making and have a great holiday!

 Kimberley

Tagged as: [ burgers culinary homemade rouxbe ]

Steaming Basics | Rouxbe Cooking School Lesson

While steaming is an ancient form of quick and healthy cooking, it is often a neglected cooking technique in the home and professional kitchen. Steaming tends to be associated with bland, institutional food, but it need not be. As long as the ingredients used are fresh, tasty and satisfying food can be made with very little effort. Though the concept of steaming may seem rather simple, some key steps are essential for the best results. Regardless of the equipment, the basic technique of steaming is always the same.

In this follow-up Rouxbe Cooking School lesson, you will learn the Basics of Steaming – from preparing ingredients and assembling them in the steaming vessel to controlling temperature. Whether you choose to steam vegetables, poultry, fish or even dumplings and buns, by following just a few basics, you can easily add steaming to your cooking repertoire. Check out the lesson and make it a point to visit your local market. Pick up something that is fresh and in season and get steaming today!

Happy Cooking!

 The Rouxbe Cooking School Team.

Tagged as: [ culinary rouxbe ]

Introduction to Steaming | Rouxbe Cooking School Lesson

With summer just around the corner, steaming is one of the best cooking methods you can use to showcase the flavors of fresh and seasonal ingredients. Aside from being a very clean and hassle-free method of cooking, consider steaming to be your new "fast food", as it is very quick to prepare.

Often mistaken for being bland and boring, the technique of steaming is used in many different cultures by cooks who appreciate the delicate textures, true flavors, and versatility it provides. For this simple cooking method, all you need is a pot, a perforated rack, some simmering water and a tight-fitting lid.

In this Rouxbe Cooking School lesson on the Introduction to Steaming, you will learn about what steaming is. You will also learn about the advantages of steaming and the various tools available to perform this often overlooked, but important, cooking technique. In subsequent lessons, we will teach you the basics of steaming so you can start cooking some of these delicious dishes!

Happy Cooking!

The Rouxbe Cooking School Team.

p.s. This lesson was one of the most exciting ones to film. Aside from the food being beautiful, everyone on set was amazed at how delicious steamed food could be. Stay tuned for more steaming lessons!  

Tagged as: [ rouxbe steaming ]