Five Guys = Burger Heaven

When one tries to define American cuisine, it's really impossible to do so. The Earth's most famous melting pot takes it's culinary influences from literally all over the world, and from almost every culture. Coupled with this being a relatively young country, a tangible American type of food really hasn't developed. If you had to choose one thing that America is famous for, it's probably going to be the burger, but even that has it's origins elsewhere with nineteenth century German immigrants bringing the "hamburger" along for their trip via the major port of, you guessed it, Hamburg. Since then, there have been numerous claims to who actually served the first hamburger, but for me the idea of the huddled masses clutching their cured beef between two slices of bread whilst braving the open waves of the Atlantic Ocean, destined for the 'new world' and who-knows-what is far, far more romantic. Although I'm sure they didn't think that at the time.

So from humble beginnings the hamburger - now known generically as the burger - has spread like wildfire all over the planet and is enjoyed daily by millions. As a consequence it seems to me that it has unwittingly developed a bad name. It's become a symbol for the globalized world, fast food and obesity. But the composite parts of a burger are actually perfectly healthy. Bread, fine. Salad, good. Ground beef, fine, and especially once it's cooked and the fat has been rendered out. Even Marco Pierre-White eats at McDonalds. So I think it's time to rise in defence of the burger, and stop assuming that it's a cardiac disaster. Now I'm not advocating that you eat a burger every day, as that ridiculous film 'Super Size Me' attests that people do. But as part of a balanced diet, then why not?

I occasionally eat at McDonalds. But by far the best burger I have eaten from a fast food joint was last night. Five Guys is a DC based burger franchise that over the last ten years has won numerous awards for the quality of what it serves, and you can see why. Good prices, delicious, never frozen hand made burgers, as many condiments as you want for free, and potato chips (from Idaho) that are cut daily and fried in peanut oil, giving them the most wonderful nutty brown colour and taste and then presented in these little cups. There was something honest about the food, and the people working there that instantly makes you relax. You just KNOW you're going to be fed well and as if to complete the picture, as I pulled apart my foil wrapped burger, the classic tones of Foreigner's "waiting for a girl like you" rang around the white-tiled walls. Perfection.

My Burger Recipe
Makes 2

Ingredients:
500g Minced Rump Steak, about 15% fat - add more if required.
2 Shallots, finely diced
A good handful of Thyme leaves
A good handful of Marjoram leaves
1 clove Garlic, crushed
A small squeeze of roasted Tomato puree
1 Egg, beaten
Maldon Sea Salt and Cracked Black Pepper

Method:
1. Pretty simple really. Place all the ingredients into a bowl and mix well. Get your hands in there. Then cover and chill in a fridge for about an hour. This is very important, it'll help the patties keep their shape.
2. Form into two patties. Brush them with olive oil, then fry on a lightly oiled non-stick pan for 4 minutes, either side. This should give you a medium finish.
3. Serve with whatever you like, but personally I eat mine with red onion marmalade and a soft blue cheese such as Dolcelatte.