Posted by Matt Jacobs, January 26, 2006 at 12:42 PM
We at A Hamburger Today realize that not all of you are near a hamburger epicenter. Your options are fast food or crappy chain diners and we're not okay with that. So, we've come to offer you respite in the form of hamburger cook books. Even if you are close to dozens of good burger joints, sometimes you just want to make your own burger.
Of all the books I checked out, this one had the best reviews and seemed to be no-nonesense. In addition to the 100 recipes, GBBB also offers some burger basics. Publishers Weekly says, "Offerings range from Barbecue Cheese Burgers and Pecan Pesto Turkey Burgers with Caramelized Fennel to is-this-really-a-burger? offerings like Salmon Burgers in Grape Leaves." I like carmelized anything. The book was writen by Jane Murphy and Liz Yeh Singh. (Something worth noting from the get-go, pretty much all of these burger cook books do more than just beef, which is expected when you're offering up 100 recipes.)
As mentioned in our Poor Man's Town Burger post, I received this book as a Chanukah present this year. So, it's the only one I can personally vouch for. There's a good mix of straight-forward, wacky and celebrity recipes, which I like. What's really important, and often overlooked, is the quantity of pictures. About 1/3 of the recipes have photos. I'm most excited about making the Beer Burger Smeared with Fresh Goat Cheese.
This book is writen as a companion to the annual Build a Better Burger competition. It included the 44 recipes that have won awards since the competition began in 1990. The book didn't have too many reviews, but of all the books listed here it was the best-selling.
To be honest, I'm not that into fancy-schmancy burgers. This means you're unlikely to see too many foie-gras and caviar-topped burgers on AHT anytime soon. When you need your fix, you can turn to Paul Gayler's book. There are plenty of options here and all of the photos look divine. Some interesting recipes are a tandoori lamb burger and a peking duck wrap, which doesn't really sound like a burger but does use ground meat. This would be a good gift for your stuck-up friend who refuses to touch anything with ground beef.
Let's face it — we all have some vegetarian friends. I don't get it, you don't get it, but it is what it is. If you've finally come to terms that your friend isn't going to change, this book could serve as a nice peace offering. According to author Louise Hagler, "these burgers are healthful, easy to prepare and delicious." I'll trust you on that one. Some sample recipes are Sunflower-Brown Rice Burgers, Grilled Almond Tofu Burgers, Southern Barbecue Seitan Burgers and Portoblello Burgers.
Gawd - I hate that word "healthful". I think I dislike veggies because they make-up or misuse words to enhance their position. Why not use "healthy" instead - it's more appropriate. It's OED definition is directed towards food and living, while "healthful" leans towards "sanitary". Hmmm...Sanitary.
Sorry - off the podium. But I do think that if veggies want more people to embrace their ways, they should use language that people can identify with.
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The Great Big Burger Book: 100 New and Classic Recipes for Mouthwatering Burgers Every Day Every Way
Burgers: 50 Recipes Celebrating an American Classic
Build A Better Burger: Celebrating Sutter Home's Annual Search for America's Best Burgers
The Gourmet Burger
Meatless Burgers: Over 50 Quick & Easy Recipes for America's Favorite Food 
1 Comment:
Caution - word-nazi approaching.
Gawd - I hate that word "healthful". I think I dislike veggies because they make-up or misuse words to enhance their position. Why not use "healthy" instead - it's more appropriate. It's OED definition is directed towards food and living, while "healthful" leans towards "sanitary". Hmmm...Sanitary.
Sorry - off the podium. But I do think that if veggies want more people to embrace their ways, they should use language that people can identify with.
Hamburger Jim at 5:13AM on 01/27/06