Aussie Burger

Besides great-quality, perfectly cooked meat and a nice bun, what can make a burger spectacular? The answer, of course, is really amazing toppings. Some Australians add grilled onions to this burger—feel free to make it your own.

Yield:

Serves 4

Ingredients

1. 1/4 cup ketchup
2. 1/4 cup mayonnaise
3. 1 teaspoon Asian chile paste such as sambal oelek
4. 1 1/4 lb ground beef chuck
5. 4 kaiser rolls, split
6. 4 pineapple rings
7. 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, divided
8. 4 large eggs
9. 3/4 cup drained sliced pickled beets
10. ACCOMPANIMENTS: lettuce; tomato slices

Directions

1. Prepare grill for direct-heat cooking over medium-hot charcoal (medium heat for gas); see “Grilling Procedure.”
2. Combine ketchup, mayonnaise, and chile paste.
3. Mix beef with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp pepper, then form into 4 (4 1/4-inch-diameter) patties.
4. Lightly toast rolls on grill.
5. Pat pineapple dry and brush with 1/2 Tbsp oil.
6. Oil grill rack, then grill pineapple and burgers, covered only if using a gas grill, turning once, until pineapple is tender and caramelized and burgers are medium-rare, about 4 minutes total.
7. Heat remaining 1/2 Tbsp oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until hot, then fry eggs.
8. Spread chile mayonnaise on rolls, then assemble burgers with pineapple, beets, eggs, lettuce, and tomato.

Notes

Rolls, pineapple, and burgers can be cooked in a hot oiled large (2-burner) ridged grill pan over medium-high heat.