Iron Chef 's David Burke of 'Prime Steakhouse' at Foxwoods Gives Tips For Making Burgers at Home

Executive Chef David BurkePhoto byMelissa Key/CBJ

Celebrity Chef David Burke is known for his many things, including his many appearances on Food Network. He even competed against (and lost to) Bobby Flay on the second season of Iron Chef America in 2005.

One of his other accomplishments is that he is the owner of several restaurants, including the steakhouse 'David Burke Prime' at Foxwoods in Ledyard, Connecticut. The world renown restauranter simply makes the best burgers and steaks around.

Along with David Burke's great ideas from the Flavors Unknown website to make burgers at home, I also added a recipe David Burke’s P.O. Dry Aged Cheeseburger from US MAGAZINE if you are looking for the ultimate burger recipe that you can make at home, at the bottom of the article.

It all Starts With The Meat

David Burke says it all starts with meat. You must ''focus on a good quality meat first.'' Also, if you make your own patties add something to the middle of the meat. ''Inside those patties put some butter and garlic and then cheese. Making a burger at home should be like making meatloaf put in what you like. And if you put it what you like most likely your family will like it.''

Focus On Your Toppings

After you've secured the best quality ground meat or patties, you should also focus on the condiments and even make your own toppings. ''Make your own tomato jam, your own ketchup, your own pickled onions, or a mushroom relish. You know things that you can put on a burger that you like. So look up some recipes on mango chutney and you know relishes and things like that, that you can spread on the bun. I always try to uplift my burger that way.''

Change Up The Bun

Sometimes it's nice to try something new. Instead of a regular soft hamburger bun, play around with other types of bread. Maybe try an Onion or Pretzel bun? A nice Brioche bun can work as well, it's all a matter of preference. Chef David's personal favorite, ''I love a burger on an English muffin. That's what I use. I prefer an English muffin for my burger.''

Here is David Burke's recipe for David Burke’s P.O. Dry Aged Cheeseburger from US MAGAZINE.

BURGER:

• 1 medium red onion,sliced
• 8 oz Dry Aged Black Angus ground beef
• 2 slices sharp Cheddar cheese
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 tbsp burger special sauce (see below)
• 1 brioche bun, sliced in half and toasted
• Lettuce and tomatoes, for garnish

David Burke’s Special Sauce:

• 1 qt mayo
• 8 oz ketchup
• 1 cup chives, finely chopped
• 1 cup pickles, finely chopped
• 4 oz truffle oil
• 6 oz pickling liquid
• 1/2 cup minced shallots

Instructions:

1. Season the hamburger patty with salt and pepper.
2. Grill the burger to the desired temperature.
3. Add two slices of Cheddar cheese on top of the burger and place in the oven for two minutes at a temperature high enough to melt cheese.
4. While the burger cooks, mix all of the Special Sauce ingredients together in a large bowl.
5. Spread 1 tablespoon of the Special Sauce on the top and bottom of the brioche bun.
6. Place the tomato, onion and lettuce on the bottom of the bun and burger on top.