A vast constellation of condiments has been created to go with hamburgers— ketchup, Dijon mustard, may onnaise, onion, dill pickle and sautéed mushrooms are all classics. Be creative: add a minced hot and smoky chipotle chili to ketchup. And try some of these:
Aioli
With a wire whisk, beat 2 egg yolks with 4 cloves minced garlic and salt and pepper. When well beaten, gradually beat in 1 cup olive oil in a thin stream. When thickened, whip in 1 teaspoon lemon juice. Or add minced garlic to prepared mayonnaise and stir in the lemon juice. Makes 1 cup.
Harissa Mayonnaise
For 2 minutes, toast in a frying pan 1 teaspoon each of caraway, coriander and cumin seeds. Grind in a spice grinder or mortar and pestle. Add 2 cloves minced garlic, 1 tablespoon red pepper flakes, salt to taste, 3 tablespoons paprika or Mexican-style chili powder and 2 tablespoons olive oil. Grind again. Add 1 tablespoon to 1 cup prepared mayonnaise and mix well.
Wasabi Mayonnaise
Combine 2 tablespoons prepared wasabi with 1/2 cup mayonnaise. Mix thoroughly. This hot dressing goes well with the beef teriyaki burger as well. (Prepared wasabi can be found in the international section of most supermarkets.)
Andrew’s Margarita Mustard
A friend created this inventive combination. In a bowl, stir together 1 cup Dijon mustard, 1/4 cup tequila, 2 teaspoons lime juice and 1 teaspoon grated orange peel. Makes 1 1/4 cups.
Chipotle Adobo Sour Cream
To 1/2 cup sour cream, add 2 teaspoons adobo sauce from a can of chipotle chilis. Add 1 teaspoon lime juice, 1/2 clove minced garlic, 3 sprigs clipped cilantro and salt to taste. Makes 1/2 cup.
Guacamole
Peel, pit and slice 2 ripe avocados. Mash with a fork while stirring in 3 tablespoons lime juice, 1/4 cup thinly sliced green onions, 4 tablespoons clipped cilantro, 1 or 2 cloves of minced garlic, 1 minced jalape–o chile, 1/4 cup olive oil, 1 small minced tomato and salt. Add a dash of Tabasco if you like it hotter. Makes 1 cup.
Tapenade
Combine in a food processor: 1 cup oil cured, pitted black olives (kalmata preferred), 1 anchovy, 2 tablespoons capers, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 clove garlic, 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme and pepper (needs no additional salt). Process until blended. Makes 1 cup.
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