Rocky Mountain Pastrami Burger Recipes

Steps:

• Start a wood campfire and wait until the flames die down and the coals glow red with white ash. Lower a grilling grate so that it sits above the coals and you have nice, even medium heat.
• Place the butter and garlic in a large cast-iron skillet and set over the fire (or on a stovetop over medium heat). As the butter melts, the garlic will infuse the butter and become fragrant. Stir well and season with salt and pepper; transfer the garlic butter to a small bowl and set aside to cool.
• Place the same skillet back over medium heat to warm up. Add enough canola oil to coat the skillet, about 2 tablespoons, then add the onion. Cook over medium heat, stirring, until the onion caramelizes, 10 to 15 minutes. Season with salt and cook until soft and evenly brown, about 3 more minutes. Transfer the onion to a plate and set aside.
• Raise the heat level to medium high by moving the skillet so it's directly over the coals, or lower the grate so it's closer to the coals. Add enough canola oil to coat the skillet, about 2 tablespoons. Add the pastrami and cook, turning a few times, until crisp, 7 to 8 minutes. Remove the pastrami and set aside, leaving any accumulated juices in the skillet.
• Divide the ground beef into 4 portions and form into 4 tight balls. Sprinkle them all over with salt and pepper. Place the hamburger balls in the skillet and sear 30 to 40 seconds, then use a strong flat metal spatula to flatten them. Continue to press with the spatula and cook until the burgers develop a crust on the bottom, about 2 1/2 minutes. Flip and cook to develop a crust on the second side, 1 minute. Use a spoon to baste the burgers with the pastrami fat in the pan.
• Top each burger with 2 slices cheese. Pour 1 tablespoon water into the skillet and cover with a lid, aluminum foil or another pan to seal in the steam (this will help melt the cheese). Leave covered 30 to 40 seconds, until the cheese has melted, then remove the lid. When the burgers are at the desired point of doneness and the cheese is melted, top each with a pile of crispy pastrami, then set the burgers aside.
• Brush the cut sides of the buns lightly with the garlic butter. Toast the buns directly on the grill over the campfire until golden and crisp around the edges, 15 to 20 seconds. Flip and lightly toast the outside of the buns, another 15 seconds.
• Assemble each burger by layering the bottom half of each bun with pickle slices and caramelized onion, then a pastrami-burger patty. Top each with lettuce, tomatoes and the top half of the bun. Serve with caraway coleslaw.
• Photograph from "Guy on Fire: 130 Recipes for Adventures in Outdoor Cooking"

Steps:

• Form the beef into four 4-inch-wide patties (1/2 to 3/4 inch thick); season with salt and pepper.
• Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the burgers and cook until browned, 2 to 3 minutes. Flip and cook 1 minute, then top each burger with a slice of cheese and one-quarter of the pastrami. Cover and cook until the cheese melts and the pastrami is hot, about 2 more minutes for medium.
• Serve the burgers on the buns with lettuce, onions, tomatoes and Thousand Island dressing.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Remove outer membrane from the testicles and slice into 1-inch disks. Toss into flour, seasoned with salt and pepper, and shake of any excess. In a large oven proof skillet add canola oil and heat until it gets to the smoking point. Add garlic and onions and saute until cooked, tossing quickly so as not to burn the garlic. Remove from pan and set aside.
• In the same pan with the oil residue, add the butter and place the disks of the testicles, flat side down, into the hot skillet. Cook until golden brown on both sides. Add the wine, stir in tomato paste until well incorporated, then add back the sauteed onion and garlic mixture. As the dish cooks it will thicken because of the flour dusting on the testicles. Continue to cook on top of the range for about 15 minutes, then place the pan into the preheated oven for another 30 minutes or until testicles are tender. Remove from oven and adjust seasoning. Let rest for approximately 10 minutes so flavor enhances. Garnish with chopped herbs and crispy bread.