The Spotted Pig's Chargrilled Burger at Home

By tulawdog

Ingredients

• 10 ounces well-marbled boneless short rib, cut into 1-inch pieces (or 8 ounces short rib and 2 ounces beef suet—see note)
• 10 ounces beef brisket, preferably second-cut, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 12 ounces well-marbled chuck roast or chuck stew meat, cut into 1-inch pieces
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 8 ounces Roquefort cheese, room temperature
• 4 Spotted Pig Burger Buns
• Buns
• 1/2 cup warm whole milk
• 3/4 cup warm water
• 2 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1 1/2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 3 large eggs
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

Preparation

Step 1

1. To Make with Meat Grinder: Place feed shaft, blade, and 3/8ths-inch grinding plate of meat grinder in freezer for at least 30 minutes before grinding. Combine well-chilled meat in large bowl and grind, passing through grinder twice, re-chilling grinder and meat in between grinds if necessary (i.e. if fat starts to smear).

2. To Make with Food Processor Spread meat on sheet tray and place in freezer until firm and just starting to freeze, but still malleable, about 15 minutes. Working in four batches, grind meat in 12-cup food processor, processing with 8-10 one-second pulses, redistributing meat between pulses as necessary. Transfer batches to large bowl and combine.

3. Form meat into four patties, about 4 1/2 inches wide and 1 inch tall, making slight depression in center of each patty.

4. Light large chimney starter filled with charcoal (5-6 quarts, about 100 briquettes), and burn until coals are coated in thin layer of gray ash, about 20 minutes. Empty coals and spread evenly over half of grates. Position grill grate on top of grill, cover grill, and heat until grate is hot, about 5 minutes. Scrub grill clean with grill brush if necessary. Season burger patties generously with salt and pepper on all sides. Place on hot side of grill and cook for 1 minute. Flip burgers and cook for 1 minute longer. Flip burgers again, adjusting as necessary to create cross-hatched grill pattern on first side. Cook for 1 minute longer. Flip once more, adjusting as necessary to create cross-hatched grill pattern on second side and cook for 1 minute longer. Transfer burgers to cool side of grill, cover, and cook until desired temperature is achieved, about 1 minute for rare (120°F on an instant read thermometer), or 2 1/2 minutes for medium (140°F on an instant read thermometer). Transfer burgers to cutting board, top each with 2 ounces Roquefort cheese, tent loosely with foil, and allow to rest 5 minutes.

5. Meanwhile, cut buns in half. Toast cut sides on hot side of grill, pressing down gently, until golden-brown grill marks are formed, about 45 seconds to 1 minute. Transfer bun bottoms to cool side of grill to keep warm. Toast top sides of top buns over hot side of grilled, pressing buns into grill grates to form cross-hatched grill pattern about 1 minute total. Place burgers on bun bottoms, top with bun tops, and serve immediately.

Buns

1. Combine milk, water, yeast, and sugar in small bowl or 2-cup glass measure. Let stand 5 minutes until foamy.

2. Combine flour and salt in bowl of stand mixer fitted with dough hook attachment (or whisk together in large bowl if mixing by hand). Add water/milk mixture and mix on medium-low speed until combined. With mixer running, add two eggs, one at a time, waiting for eggs to become fully incorporated between additions. Add butter one tablespoon at a time until fully incorporated.

3. Continue to mix on medium-low speed for 2-3 minutes. If dough appears too sticky, add flour, 1 tablespoon at a time, until it pulls away from sides of mixer (it will still stick to bottom). Continue kneading until dough is smooth and elastic, 5-6 minutes longer.

4. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and let rise until doubled in volume (about 2 hours at room temperature, or 8 hours in the refrigerator). Turn dough out onto lightly floured surface, and using bench scraper or sharp knife, cut into 8 equal pieces approximately 4 ounces each.

5. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Form each dough chunk into a ball and place on baking sheets, four per sheet, about 3 inches apart. Spray with non-stick cooking spray (or brush with oil), cover loosely with plastic wrap, and allow to rise at room temperature until approximately doubled in volume (about two hours).

6. Adjust oven racks to lower-middle and upper-middle positions and preheat oven to 400°F. Gently press dough balls down until approximately 4 inches wide and 2 inches high. Beat remaining egg with one tablespoon water and brush entire exposed surface of bun. Bake for 7 minutes. Remove buns from oven, brush with remaining egg wash, and bake until deep, shiny, golden brown, rotating pans top to bottom and front to back half way through baking, 10-15 minutes longer. Transfer buns to rack and allow to cool completely.