Hot Link Smashed Burger

Ingredients:

Mash Potatoes:

·         1 Potato (Peeled and Cubed)

·         2 tbsp Milk (35g)

·         1 tbsp Butter (15g)

Dough:

·         560g or 4 cups Bread Flour

·         130g or ½ Cup Mashed Potatoes

·         240g or 1 cup Warm Whole Milk (98℉)

·         12g or 2 tsps Sea Salt

·         44g or 3 tbsp Sugar

·         2 Eggs (Room Temperature)

·         1 Egg Yolk (Room Temperature)

·         Splash of Whole Milk (Room Temperature)

·         4 tbsp or 56g Softened Butter (45g)

Hot Link Smash Burger:

·         1-2 lbs Ground Beef

·         Evergood Hot Links

·         Sliced American Cheese

·         Salt and Pepper to Taste

Burger Sauce:

·         ¼ Cup Ketchup

·         ¼ Cup Mayo

·         2 tbs Mustard

a·         1 tsp Hot Sauce

Method:

Bread:

1.       To quickly make mash potatoes, place the cubed potatoes in a microwave bowl covered with plastic wrap. Poke a hole in the center, then microwave for 4-5 minutes or until the potatoes are fork tender. Allow the potatoes to cool before mashing and combining with the milk and butter. Set aside 130g or ½ Cup for the Dough

2.       In a measuring glass combine the heated milk with the yeast and 20g of sugar. Sugar is important in helping activate the yeast. Mix well, then add in 1 whole egg and an egg yolk. Mix again, then set aside to bloom for at least 5 minutes

3.       In the bowl of a stand mixer, add in the flour, salt, remaining sugar, along with the mashed potatoes, softened butter & yeast mixture. Kneed for 10 minutes or until nice and smooth

4.       Remove the dough from the mixer and form into a ball on a clean worksurface. Place the dough ball into a lightly greased bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and rise for 1 hour

5.       Once risen, punch down your dough and divide into 12 even dough balls

6.       Make as many buns as you need! (You can freeze the rest to have fresh bread whenever you want! Just leave the frozen dough out on the counter for 4-6 hours or in the fridge over night for fresh dough without the hassle)

7.       Place the dough balls onto a parchment line baking sheet

8.       Place an inverted baking sheet over the top of the dough and let rise for an additional 2 hours

9.       Once Risen, brush with a whole milk, egg mixture and sprinkle over sesame seeds (optional). Then bake in a 375° oven for 18 minutes or until golden brown and fluffy  

Bruger Sauce:

1.       Mix all ingredients in a bowl

Hot Link Smash Burgers:

1.       Slice the hot link and open it up to create more surface area

2.       Fry off the hot links

3.       Toast the buns in the fat

4.       Form the beef into roughly ¼ pound balls

5.       In an oiled, ripping hot pan, place down the meat ball. Smash using a heavy pan, spatula or burger press (oil the surface with cooking spray or line with parchment paper to prevent sticking), season with salt and pepper, then sear until the edges become browned and crispy. Flip and place on a slice of cheese. Repeat with each meat ball

6.       To construct the burger, place down the bottom half of the freshly made bun, followed by a dab of the shack sauce, two smash burger patties, the tangy and spicy cherry peppers, the spicy hot link and the top bun smothered with more if the shack sauce. Enjoy!