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Mr. Smith Recipe

Name: Smith's Public Houses Mr. Smith Recipe
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 1 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 8 oz ground beef (80/20); 0.5 tsp kosher salt; 0.25 tsp freshly ground black pepper; 1 tsp neutral oil (vegetable or canola), for searing; 0.5 cup yellow onion; 1 tsp butter; 0.5 tsp olive oil; 0.125 tsp salt (for onions); 2 slices American cheese slices; 1 each burger buns (soft hamburger buns), toasted; 1 tsp unsalted butter (for toasting buns); 2 tbsp mayonnaise; 0.5 tsp garlic, finely grated or minced; 0.5 tsp Dijon mustard; 0.5 tsp lemon juice; 0.125 tsp smoked paprika; 0.125 tsp hot sauce (optional); 0.125 tsp salt (for aioli); 0.0625 tsp black pepper (for aioli); 2 slices pickles (optional); 1 leaf lettuce or leaf (optional)

Inspired by Smith's Public House

Time25m

Serves1

Two four ounce smash patty's, sautéed onions, american cheese, house aioli.

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Ingredients

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Burger Patties & Seasoning

8 oz ground beef (80/20)

1/2 tsp kosher salt

1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

1 tsp neutral oil (vegetable or canola), for searing

Onions

1/2 cup yellow onion

1 tsp Butter

1/2 tsp olive oil

1/8 tsp salt (for onions)

Cheese & Buns

2 slices American cheese slices

1 each burger buns (soft hamburger buns), toasted

1 tsp unsalted butter (for toasting buns)

House Aioli

2 tbsp Mayonnaise

1/2 tsp garlic, finely grated or minced

1/2 tsp Dijon mustard

1/2 tsp ReaLemon lemon juice

1/8 tsp Smoked paprika

1/8 tsp hot sauce (optional)

1/8 tsp salt (for aioli)

0.063 tsp black pepper (for aioli)

Assembly & Finish

2 slices pickles (optional)

1 leaf lettuce or leaf (optional)

Method

House Aioli

Make aioli

In a small bowl combine mayonnaise, grated garlic, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, smoked paprika, hot sauce (if using), salt, and pepper. Whisk until smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning. Refrigerate while preparing the rest of the burger so flavors meld (at least 10 minutes).

Onions

Sauté onions

Thinly slice the yellow onion. Heat a small skillet over medium heat and add butter and olive oil. When butter melts and begins to foam, add the sliced onion and a pinch (about 1/8 tsp) of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are softened and just beginning to brown at the edges, about 6–8 minutes. Reduce heat if they start to crisp too quickly. Remove from pan and keep warm.

Burger Patties & Searing

Portion patties

Divide the 8 oz ground beef into two equal 4-ounce portions. Form each portion into a loose ball — do not overwork the meat; you want it slightly packed but still loose for good smash adhesion.

Preheat griddle/skillet

Heat a heavy cast-iron skillet or flat griddle over medium-high heat until very hot. Add 1 tsp neutral oil and spread to coat.

Smash and sear patties

Place one beef ball on the hot surface and immediately press down firmly with a heavy spatula or a burger press (use a piece of parchment or a second spatula to prevent sticking) until patties are about 1/4 inch thick. Season the exposed top with a pinch of salt and a little black pepper. Repeat with the second ball. Let cook without moving until deep brown and crisp on the underside, about 2–3 minutes. Flip each patty, season the new top side with a pinch of salt and pepper, then place one slice of American cheese on each patty. Cook until cheese melts and the patty is cooked through, about another 1–2 minutes.

Buns & Toasting

Toast buns

While the patties finish, melt 1 tsp butter in a small skillet over medium heat or on the griddle and toast the cut sides of the bun until golden, about 30–60 seconds. Remove from heat.

Assembly & Serve

Assemble Mr. Smith

Spread a generous layer (about 1 tbsp) of house aioli on the bottom bun. Place one melted-cheese smash patty on the aioli. Add sautéed onions evenly over the patty. Place the second cheese-topped patty on top of the onions. If using, add pickles and lettuce. Spread a thin layer of aioli on the top bun and place it over the stack.

Final touches

Press the burger gently to compact slightly, then serve immediately while hot. Serve with fries or chips if desired.