Bud & Burgers Championship Finals - July 2015

 
 

Irish Pub Burger

Placement: Semi-finalist 

Prize won: Amazing travel package to compete in St. Louis, Missouri

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Bud & Burgers Championship Finals in St. Louis, Missouri

Bud & Burger Food Truck named after my Irish Pub Burger?! Awesomeness! 

Winner determined by texting… 

All finalists had to make 1000’s of burger samples… craziest and most challenging experience of my life! 

It was nothing less than adrenaline rush after seeing 10's of thousands of people coming towards the food trucks!  Well... after running out of the caramelized cabbage slaw, I had to shut down my window. Long story short... after a couple tears... we faced the final count. 

At the end of the day, I was thankful and blessed to be a part of such amazing experience!

Bring on the next challenge! 

RECIPE:

Irish Pub Burger

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 Tbsp spicy brown mustard
  • 2 Tbsp mayonnaise (good quality)
  • 1/4 lb. thin-sliced smoked bacon (cut into small pieces)
  • 1/2 cup thinly sliced onion (peel and half before slicing), plus 2 Tbsp finely minced onion (use food processor)
  • 1 cup green cabbage (sliced)
  • 1/2 cup Budweiser beer (divided)
  • 1/4 lb. extra lean ground pork (1/2 cup)
  • 1 brat sausage (casing removed) 
  • 1/4 cup grated Gala apple
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/8 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp vegetable oil 
  • 1 pretzel bun (cut in half)
  • 1 tsp butter (melted)
  • 1 slice swiss cheese
  • 1 piece green leaf lettuce    

Directions:

  1. In a bowl, combine mayonnaise and mustard; refrigerate till ready to assemble burger. 
  2. In a heavy skillet, cook bacon till fat is rendered (till slightly brown, but still soft); add onion, salt and pepper; cook till onions are translucent.; add cabbage and cook till cabbage begins to brown; add half of the beer and cook over medium/high heat for about 30 minutes or till caramelized. 
  3. In a medium bowl, combine ground pork, brats, grated apple, finely minced onion, 1/4 of the beer, salt and black pepper. Form into patties. 
  4. Brush all sides of pretzel bun with melted butter. Place in a panini press or press down with a grill press over a hot griddle till slightly brown inside. Set aside. 
  5. Drizzle vegetable oil over a hot heavy skillet. Place prepared apple brat’n pork patty over heated oil and brown both sides (about 2 minutes per side). Drizzle with 1 Tbsp beer and cover, allowing steam to cook inside of patty; turn patty over and drizzle another 1 Tbsp beer; cover and cook for another 2 minutes. Top each burger with cheese and cover till cheese melts. 
  6. To assemble burgers, spread aioli over both sides (insides) of butter/pressed bun. Spoon half of beer-braised cabbage & bacon over bottom bun; top with cooked apple brat’n pork patty melt; more beer-braised cabbage & bacon and a green leaf lettuce. Cover with top bun and enjoy with an ice-cold Bud! Enjoy! 
 
Lidia Haddadian