State Fair Fried Pickle Burger Recipes

Steps:

• For the burger patties: In a medium bowl, mix ground the beef, lamb, pork, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Use your hands to form 4 equal-size patties. Lightly sprinkle the outside of the patties with salt and pepper.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Heat a grill or grill pan over high heat. Cook the patties until there is a good sear, about 2 minutes, and then turn 90-degrees for 2 more minutes. Flip the patties and repeat.
• Place 1 slice cheese atop each patty and transfer to a sheet tray. Cook in the hot oven until the cheese is melted, about 1 more minute. Remove the patties from the sheet tray and place on wire rack. Allow to rest for a minute while preparing pickles, buns, and toppings for plate.
• For the fried sweet pickles: In a medium saucepan, heat the oil to 350 degrees F. Mix the flour with the salt, chili powder, baking powder, paprika and pepper. Dip all of the pickles in the buttermilk, and then dredge in the seasoned flour and fry in the hot oil. When the pickles float to the surface a nice golden brown, remove from the oil. Immediately place on paper towels and then sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• To assemble the sandwiches: On the bottom half of each bun, spread a tablespoon of mayonnaise, place 1 burger and top with fried pickles. Cover with the top of the bun. Serve with side of ketchup, mustard, onions, tomatoes, lettuce, and dill pickles.

Steps:

• Cook's note: This recipe also works for carrot sticks, green beans or a medley of vegetables. Red and green bell peppers look wonderful on a relish tray at Christmas time. If you can't find a 9-percent vinegar, you may substitute a lower percentage, such as 6 or 7. If you're using large cucumbers, cut into spears or sticks. Pack the cucumbers in warm jar. Add vinegar and remaining ingredients except boiling water. Finish filling jar with boiling water, leaving about 1/2-inch of head space. Remove air bubbles. If you are going to store the jars in the refrigerator, seal and allow to cool before refrigerating. If you are going to store the jars on shelves, process them in a water bath for about 15 minutes. To tell when pickles are done processing, use tongs to pull a jar out of the water and check the color. When the pickles have lost their green, natural color and are the color of green olives, they're ready. Remove jars from water and place on a towel over a countertop, allowing space between jars so air can circulate. Do not cover with a cloth. When lids are cool to touch, check seals. If improperly sealed, store pickles in refrigerator and eat as soon as possible. If seals are fine, allow jars to cool 24 hours before storing in a cool, dark place. This recipe yields 1 quart.