Cheeseburger with lettuce, tomato, red onion, and bacon | Photo © CiberCuba Cocina

Burgers

Name: Burgers
Prep time: 30 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 2 servings
Cuisine: Cuban

Cooking, Main course

Cuisine, Main dish

Spices

Pimienta translates to "Pepper" in English

Preparation Time:

Note:

Burgers are a dish commonly associated with American cuisine. It could be said that Americans have spread it worldwide. However, its history is much older. Mongols and Turks were the first to grind less desirable meat portions to make them easier to eat. Later, the Tartars introduced these balls of raw, spiced meat into German culture. German immigrants brought the idea to the United States, where the first hamburger emerged in 1895. Its creator was chef Louis Lassen, who is said to have received the recipe from a sailor from Hamburg. If this story has sparked your appetite for our burger, I won’t keep you waiting any longer. To create a burger with a Cuban twist, there are a couple of ingredients you should not miss. Most Cubans prefer a pork burger. However, you can also find mixed meat, chicken, turkey, or even soy picadillo variants. It’s typically seasoned with salt, pepper, cumin, and garlic. One element that will transport you directly to Cuba is cilantro, but use it sparingly, as it has a strong flavor that could overpower the dish if you add too much. This is a quick, delicious, and easy recipe. It’s a classic of American cuisine that you can find around the world. It’s usually served with fries and soda, although here we present it a cappella. Feel free to add whatever you like best.

Ingredients:

2 round hamburger buns with sesame seeds
250 grams of raw ground pork
2 slices of cheese
½ onion
Salt, cumin, garlic powder, oregano, and pepper to taste
Finely chopped cilantro
Mustard, mayonnaise, ketchup
4 slices of bacon or York ham
1 ripe tomato
50 grams of fresh lettuce

Instructions:

Season the ground pork with salt and pepper. Add cumin, garlic powder, and oregano to taste. Also, incorporate a little finely chopped cilantro. Mix well until you achieve a compact mixture.

Mixed hamburger (pork and beef) seasoned / CiberCuba Kitchen

Divide the meat into equal portions. Roll them into balls and then flatten them. Try to ensure they are uniform and, above all, that the meat is not overly moist. If you find they are not compact enough, add a tablespoon of wheat flour and mix again.

When the hamburgers are ready, refrigerate them for at least two hours. Prepare the ingredients you will use to assemble the burger. Cut the lettuce into very fine strips and slice the tomato.

Freshly made burger with a slice of cheese / CiberCuba Cocina

The hamburger should be eaten right after it is made to keep the meat hot and juicy. You can cook it in a skillet, in the oven, and some even fry it.

In this case, it was cooked in a skillet over low heat until it was nicely browned on both sides. To check if it's done on the inside, poke it with a fork; if it stops bleeding, it's perfectly cooked.

Burger with sauces and vegetables / CiberCuba Cooking

Once you've finished cooking it, place a slice of cheese on top so it melts with the heat. Then, start frying the bacon quickly.

To assemble the hamburger, cut the bun in half. Spread mayonnaise on the bottom half, followed by ketchup. On the top half, add mustard to taste.

The use of sauces is optional, as everyone has different tastes. Once you’ve spread them to your liking, place the burger with the melted cheese on top.

Burger with its sauces, cheese, vegetables, and bacon / CiberCuba Kitchen

Place the lettuce and tomato on top of the meat; otherwise, the weight and heat of the burger will cause the vegetables to lose their freshness and crispness.

On top of the tomato, add the bacon, fried egg, ham, or whatever you wish to include. Finally, add very thinly sliced red onion.

Burger with bread / CiberCuba Kitchen

This dish can be enjoyed at any time of the day. It is typically paired with a cold and refreshing drink. Enjoy!

Enjoy your meal!!

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