From the store to the kitchen to the table: We outline the steps that get you from something raw to something cooked using simple ingredients, free of measurements and complicated techniques. A method that you can have in your back pocket and whip out whenever you like. We call it recipe-free cooking.
Illustrations by Bill Russell
Heat the frying pan over medium heat on the stovetop. Add the bacon to the pan.
Form the ground beef into a 1/2-inch-thick patty. Don’t knead it too much, or the meat will toughen up. Season both sides with salt and pepper, and press the seasonings in with your hands.
Spread the condiments on the bun (you can toast the bun first if you want), and slice the burger toppings.
Cook the bacon until it’s crispy and golden, about four minutes; flip and cook a few minutes more on the other side. Remove the bacon from the pan.
Keep the pan over medium heat and place the hamburger patty in the hot bacon grease. Don’t press the burger down, or you may cause it to lose juice. Cook undisturbed for about four minutes on each side for medium.
A minute or two before you’re finished cooking the second side, lay two slices of cheese on top of the burger to melt.
Place the burger on the bun, top with bacon and other fixin’s, and serve.
Heat the frying pan over medium heat on the stovetop. Add the bacon to the pan.
Form the ground beef into a 1/2-inch-thick patty. Don’t knead it too much, or the meat will toughen up. Season both sides with salt and pepper, and press the seasonings in with your hands.
Spread the condiments on the bun (you can toast the bun first if you want), and slice the burger toppings.
Cook the bacon until it’s crispy and golden, about four minutes; flip and cook a few minutes more on the other side. Remove the bacon from the pan.
Keep the pan over medium heat and place the hamburger patty in the hot bacon grease. Don’t press the burger down, or you may cause it to lose juice. Cook undisturbed for about four minutes on each side for medium.
A minute or two before you’re finished cooking the second side, lay two slices of cheese on top of the burger to melt.
Place the burger on the bun, top with bacon and other fixin’s, and serve.