Monday, November 4, 2013

Cheeseburger: Paradise

I love this Cheeseburger Roll so much because it tastes like McDonald's.  It's true, even though I don't eat fast food anymore.  Secondly, I love this Cheeseburger Roll because it's homemade, delicious, and reasonably healthy.

Back in high school, I would whisk through the Micky-D's drive-thru right after school to get a $.99 hamburger before I went to my restaurant job. 



This recipe brings me that taste memory, the blue Dodge Shadow (stick shift!), and the brown apron I wore as a salad bar attendant.

Don't be afraid of the yeast dough here - this is one of the easiest doughs to mix up and it's not fussy in any aspect.  And don't forget the sesame seeds (McDonald's!).







Here, I served the Roll with roasted potatoes and a green salad.  But sometime, I'm going to rock out the homemade milkshakes and fries. 



Cheeseburger Roll - tweaked from Alica
Makes a 15-18" roll, enough to serve 6-8

An hour-and-a-half before you want to eat it, make the dough and filling:

In a mixing bowl, whisk:
1 c. warm water
1 Tbsp. oil
1 tsp. sugar
1 tsp. salt
1 Tbsp. instant yeast

Add 1 cup flour.

Whisk again.

Use hands to stir in 2 cups more flour (I use half whole wheat or all white whole wheat flour).  Knead until smooth.  Grease dough and bowl.  Cover.  Set aside to rise 45-60 minutes.

Also, at this time, I prepare the filling.  It needs to be cool to go in the dough (you could also prepare it a day or so ahead of time and keep it in the fridge).

Fry together:
1 lb. ground beef
1/2 c. diced onion

Drain off grease.  Mix in:
1/4 c. ketchup
1/4 c. regular yellow prepared mustard  (if you use another kind of mustard, it won't taste like McDonald's - probably still good, but doesn't scratch the taste memory itch for me)
1/4 c. finely diced dill pickles

When mixed (and cooled slightly), add 1 c. shredded cheddar cheese.  Set aside.

When ready to bake, roll out dough to 12x18" rectangle.  Spread cooled filling over dough.  Roll up, starting at long side, jelly-roll style.  Place seam-side down on greased baking pan. Brush with water or oil and sprinkle with sesame seeds.  Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes until a good tan color.

11 comments:

Hazel said...

I don't have the same taste memory to recall (my McDonalds memory is a few Fillet O'Fish in the early 90's when I was vegetarian and out with friends who were all buying burgers) but I like the idea of it being wrapped in a yeasted dough and I think it will definitely appeal to the children.

One to try, thanks!

Unknown said...

This is GREAT! I'm trying this tonight for dinner...I was going to do chicken Lo Mien (my new favorite) but I just have to try this!!!

Alica said...

:) I thought that sounded familiar! I'm so glad you liked it! I like that you put at the beginning of the recipe...1 1/2 hours before you want to eat it..because so often I forget! I think I'll make it for Saturday lunch, and all of a sudden it's lunch time and I realize that I've started too late! Milkshakes and fries sound like a great combo!

Anonymous said...

Wow, that sounds great and not too fussy. How do you roast your potatoes?

Margo said...

Anon, I toss diced potatoes with a little oil - not too much - and roast at 425 for 20 or so minutes, flipping and stirring every 5-10 minutes. Oh - and I salt them well. It's not very exact! Don't stir too often or they don't get crisp brown edges. The potatoes in the picture were roasted with the cheeseburger roll, so they were longer and slower - I bet they were in the oven 40 minutes.

Sharon Nolt said...

now this I will try. if you can make healthy fast food, then I'll take it.

thanks!

Sew Blessed Maw [Judy] said...

This sounds so good. Thank you for sharing the recipe..

Leila said...

Good idea! I like meat pie-type things, and of course, I love cheeseburgers!!

BLD in MT said...

I used to work at McDonalds. Whenever it comes up people are always surprised. I just tell them I used to eat chicken nuggets like there was no tomorrow.

Isn't it interesting the associations food makes in our minds--the stick shift, for example.

Mary Anne said...

Making this tonight and thankful for our friendship....missing you all!

Mary Anne said...
This comment has been removed by the author.