SERVES 4
TOTAL TIME: 45 minutes
Buy the American cheese from the deli counter, and ask for it to be sliced into a ½-inch slab from which you can cut four big cubes to fill the center of the burgers. The cheesy center of these burgers is molten hot when first removed from the grill, so be sure to let the burgers rest for at least five minutes before serving. Serve with your favorite burger toppings. See the photos that follow the recipe.
BEANS
|
2 |
(15-ounce) cans pinto beans, rinsed |
|
½ |
cup ketchup |
|
¼ |
cup molasses |
|
1 |
teaspoon cider vinegar |
|
1 |
teaspoon hot sauce |
|
¼ |
teaspoon liquid smoke |
|
1 |
(9 by 5-inch) disposable aluminum loaf pan |
BURGERS
|
2 |
slices hearty white sandwich bread, crust removed, torn into quarters |
|
¼ |
cup whole milk |
|
1½ |
pounds 85 percent lean ground beef |
|
1 |
garlic clove, minced |
|
¾ |
teaspoon salt |
|
½ |
teaspoon pepper |
|
1 |
(½-inch-thick) slice American cheese, quartered |
|
4 |
hamburger buns |
1. FOR THE BEANS: Combine all ingredients in loaf pan.
2. FOR THE BURGERS: Mash bread and milk to paste with fork in large bowl. Mix in ground beef, garlic, salt, and pepper using hands. Divide meat mixture into 8 equal portions. Flatten 4 portions of meat into patties, place cheese in centers, and encase cheese completely with meat, forming mini patties. Flatten remaining meat portions into disks and wrap around mini patties, sealing edges and forming ball. Flatten balls into ¾-inch-thick burgers.
3A. FOR A CHARCOAL GRILL: Open bottom vent completely. Light large chimney starter filled with charcoal briquettes (6 quarts). When top coals are partially covered with ash, pour two-thirds evenly over grill, then pour remaining coals over half of grill. Set cooking grate in place, cover, and open lid vent completely. Heat grill until hot, about 5 minutes.
3B. FOR A GAS GRILL: Turn all burners to high, cover, and heat grill until hot, about 15 minutes. Leave primary burner on high and turn other burner(s) to medium.
4. Clean and oil cooking grate. Place burgers on cooler side of grill and pan of beans on hotter side of grill. Cook (covered if using gas), turning as needed, until burgers are well browned on both sides and beans are hot, 12 to 16 minutes. Transfer burgers to platter; tent loosely with aluminum foil and let rest for 5 minutes. Serve on hamburger buns with beans.