a Winning Burger, Road to Burger Bash NCYWFF

Countdown is one week until many of the countries top chefs will flip thousands of burgers at the NYCWFF 7th annual Burger Bash presented by Pat LaFrieda Meats hosted by Rachael Ray. We will soon know who will win honors with best burger this year. Join me & Martin Famous on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram next Friday, October 17th after 3PM EST for live messaging and pictures from NYCWFF. Plus, the release of my all new "secret burger" for Burger Bash this year. My first secret ingredient is well known by many, Martins Potato Rolls.

One more hint, several ingredients in my "secret burger" recipe for this years Burger Bash was started months ago...Care to guess?  

image Alex Goetzfried © Hirsch Media George's "secret burger recipe" for 7th Annual Burger Bash Until then, enjoy one of my past winning burgers. The judges and the three thousand guests did, and you will too!

A grilled Tuscan-style burger with caramelized onions and grilled pepper tomato marmalade topped with arugula Parmesan


The George Burger, a winning burger

The George Burger

Recipe By Chef George Hirsch | chefgeorgehirsch.com 

Makes 8, ¼ pound burgers

1 1/2 pounds ground beef, short rib blend, 80/20 lean / fat ratio

½ pound sweet Italian sausage, removed from casing

Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Accompaniments: Martins Potato Rolls, caramelized onion, arugula, Parmesan flakes

In a 2-quart mixing bowl, combine all of the ingredients and mix with a fork, taking care not to overwork the meat. Divide into 6 or 8 equal portions and form into 3/4 inch thick patties. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour. 

Preheat the grill to medium-high. Place the burgers on a hot grill and cook about 3-4 minutes per side, turning once. 

Serve on lightly toasted potato rolls with caramelized onions and grilled pepper tomato marmalade. Top with arugula and Parmesan.

Grilled Pepper Tomato Marmalade

Makes about 3 cups

1/2 Ounce portion per 3 ounce slider burger 

2 cups good quality ketchup, (not high fructose) 

2 Red peppers, split deseeded grilled and charred 

Cloves from 1 head Caramelized garlic

¼ cup Virgin olive oil

2 Tablespoons Balsamic vinegar

1 teaspoon hot sauce

Pulse all above, leaving slightly chunky and add to ketchup.  

Chef George’s Caramelized Onions

Preheat a nonstick saucepan to a medium heat.  Place 2 cups sliced onions in the pan and cover. Allow to cook for 2-3 minutes, or until the onions begin to brown.  Stir and cover again.  Continue the process until the onions are a golden brown.  Remove the cover.  Cook off any excess moisture. Remove the onions from the pan and cool.

We Create, do You?

Tune-in and DVR George Hirsch Lifestyle on Create beginning Tuesday, October 14th. You will be inspired with flavorful recipes and also by the most passionate people who craft each and everyday. I am so proud to share my friends with you. 

George Hirsch Lifestyle Talent

My friends are artists, artisan crafters, bakers, builders, butchers, cheese makers, cheese mongers, chefs, crafters, craft-brewers, designers, farmers, fisherman, grillers & smokers, pastry chefs, pickers, small batch beverage makers, sommeliers, vintners, plus aspiring young growers!

Join me and my friends as we premiere on Create, Tuesday’s & Thursday’s & Create together. You’ll get inspired too!

For national schedules and times visit CreateTV 

Road to Burger Bash NYCWFF

I'm very excited to announce that I have teamed up with Martins Famous Pastry to grill up almost 2000 burgers + sides for the NYCWFF 7th annual Burger Bash presented by Pat LaFrieda Meats hosted by Rachael Ray. My top-secret burger will be revealed on October 17th. My tasting panel, sworn to secrecy, had an opportunity for first bites on a new fun spin of America's favorite grilled meat sandwiched between a soft potato bun. Delighted to report that they ate every bite with smiles on their faces, giving big thumbs up all around!

Follow me on Facebook and Twitter for more on the Road to Burger Bash. 

BB8 GSG Martins Release Announcement Oct 2.tiff

Chef George Hirsch Secret Burger for 7th Annual Burger Bash Meanwhile, there's no need to wait until October 17th to light up the grill with one of my other winning burgers.

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Chef George Hirsch Ultimate Turkey Burger

George’s Ultimate Turkey Burger

Recipe By Chef George Hirsch | Makes 6-8 burgers 

chefgeorgehirsch.com | George Hirsch Living it UP! cookbook

2 pounds lean ground turkey

1/4 cup finely chopped onion

2 Tablespoons bbq sauce

1/4 cup finely chopped mushrooms

2 jalapeño peppers, grilled for about 3 minutes, seeded and chopped

1 Tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro

Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Accompaniments: potato rolls, lettuce, sliced tomato and cranberry relish

In a 2-quart mixing bowl, combine all of the ingredients and mix with a fork, taking care not to overwork the meat. Divide into 6 or 8 equal portions and form into 3/4 inch thick patties. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours. Preheat the grill to medium-high. Place the burgers on a hot grill and cook about 4 inches from the heat source for 2 minutes per side, turning once. Lower the heat slightly and cook for another 7 or 8 minutes, or until done. 

Ecosystem Engineers aka Oyster

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Historically in the 19th century oysters aka “ecosystem engineers” were abundant and the food of working-class people, with NY Harbor the world’s supplier of millions of bivalves in the harbor on any given day. Then they disappeared; oysters in LI waters took a dive in 1992 due to MSX. Ecologically, they keep our shores clean by filtering phytoplankton. And the socioeconomic significance, a mainstay to the positive impact of the L.I. fishing industry—bagging upwards of 118K bushels until ’92. As passionate as fans are of their hometown NFL team, for culinary fans, oysters are an endless slurp of pleasure as they cheer on their local Briney delicacy. Plus, where would chefs be without oysters on the menu? I cannot imagine what Antoine's of New Orleans the creator of Oysters Rockefeller would have done without serving four million oysters since they began serving this dish in 1899 as a substitute for the lack of snails...I guess snails are another cover? 

Even if you pass when the oysters are served you can see the importance they play in our daily life. I am delighted Edible East End has considered a homage to the importance of this mollusk!