"Juicy Lucy" hamburger

My husband and I were watching "Man Vs. Food" one night, and the host was trying out two different restaurants that both claimed to have started the "Juicy Lucy." Well, wait. What is a Juicy Lucy, you ask? It's a hamburger with American cheese slices stuck between two thin patties. I don't remember which restaurant was deemed the best. All I remember is salivating during the show and wanting a Juicy Lucy. Well, it wasn't long before my husband was in the kitchen busting these out. They are ridiculously delicious. Something magical happens to that cheese when it is stuck between two patties. This has revolutionized hamburgers for me. Just look at this picture. That melty cheese oozes out of the cheeseburger with every bite. Oozy cheese is a definite plus for me. My favorite hamburger place Fuddruckers has a nacho cheese dispenser, and I always loved the thought of putting oozy cheese on a hamburger. It just tastes better. Now, no cheese dispenser required! Just follow this recipe and you'll be in a hamburger wonderland in no time.

Juicy Lucy:
ground beef
American cheese slices
seasoning
hamburger buns
toppings

This is so simple. I love it. Make two thin patties. Season them with whatever you'd like. My husband did seasoned salt and freshly ground pepper. Take one piece of American cheese and break it into four smaller squares. Put them on top of a patty.

Take the second patty and place it on top. Seal around the edges so as much of that cheesy goodness stays in as possible.

Repeat the process until you've done as many as you need. We cooked ours on the stove in a frying pan. That is delicious, but it would work on the grill as well. Cook them on medium heat until no longer pink in the middle, about ten minutes. My husbands words, "I don't know... a few minutes per side until it looks right." There you have it. :)

While they are cooking, you can toast some buns... hamburger buns that is. I buttered them and sprinkled them with Worcestershire flavored pepper. McCormick sells it. I toasted them on a hot griddle over medium-high heat until they were light brown.


Keep on eye on the hamburgers, too. This was close to completion for us. Do you see the cheese peeking out of the hamburger. Ridiculous. My two little ones just prefer regular cheeseburgers. Crazy kids!

Once they are done, have a variety of topping: lettuce, pickles, sauteed onions, tomatoes, ketchup, mustard, mayo, or whatever else you fancy. My husband says that his dream combination is ranch, spicy brown mustard, sauteed onions, and Claussens garlic pickle slices.

Do you see what I see here? I'm telling you. Once you try this, I can't for the life of me figure out why any one would not make it this way. It's takes a little more time to prepare, but if you read this regularly, you know that I choose taste over convenience. This is one example of that. :) Go make them and enjoy your Juicy Lucy!

I served this with corn on the cob and fruit kabobs. Baked beans and potato salad would be golden as well.