At Adam Fleischman's expanding Los Angeles chain, the secret to his burgers is "umami dust," a combination of bonito (dried tuna) flakes, dried kombu (seaweed) and shiitake mushrooms with a pronounced savory Asian flavor. It makes a juicy burger taste even more deeply meaty. Tip: Burger purists handle ground meat as little as possible; over-working the beef can create a tight, meatloaf texture. Slideshow: More Great Burgers
How to Make It
Heat a cast-iron griddle until very hot. Layer the pickle slices on the bottom buns.
Without overworking the meat, loosely form it into 4 balls and place them on the griddle. Cook the meatballs over moderately high heat for 30 seconds. Using a sturdy large spatula, flatten each ball into a 5-inch round patty. Season the patties with salt and pepper and cook for 2 minutes, until well seared. Press a handful of sliced onions onto each patty. Using the spatula, carefully flip each burger so the onions are on the bottom. Top with the cheese and cook for 2 minutes. Cover with a roasting pan and cook just until the cheese is melted, 1 minute more. Transfer the burgers with the onions to the buns and sprinkle with umami dust. Top with the buns and serve.
Notes
Suggested Pairing
Beer Hoppy pale ale: Dale's Pale Ale.
Wine Juicy, peppery California Zinfandel.