Bettah Buttah Burgers

Fantasizing about extra-juicy, extra-flavorful burgers? If so, this is the ticket. The secret is a disk of flavored butter that’s tucked into the middle of the burger before it’s cooked. You get mouthfuls of

wonderful, buttery juiciness. We’ve created four flavored butters for you to choose from.

MAKES 4 BURGERS

Ingredients

1½ pounds ground meat (beef, lamb, pork, turkey—whatever your pleasure)

2 teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper

4 to 6 tablespoons flavored butter (recipes follow), to your taste

Directions

1. Gently combine the meat, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Form into 4 patties, each ¾ inch thick. With your thumb, make an indentation ½ inch deep and 2 inches wide in the center of each patty. Place at least 1 tablespoon of the flavored butter in the hole and pinch it closed.

2. Lightly oil the grill or a skillet over medium-high heat and cook the burgers to the desired degree of doneness, 3 to 5 minutes per side for medium rare.

SERVE IT UP on hamburger buns

TOP IT OFF with lettuce and sliced tomato

Pesto Butter

MAKES 1½ CUPS

1 cup tightly packed fresh basil leaves

4 cloves garlic, smashed

½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened

¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

2 teaspoons salt

Place the basil and garlic in a food processor and pulse until finely chopped. Add the remaining ingredients and process until smooth and well combined

Bettah Buttah Burgers