Grillin’ Burgers

Directions

1. Put the protein granules in a small bowl. Add the boiling water and let the granules rehydrate for 10 minutes.
2. Put the remaining wet ingredients in a separate small bowl. Add the rehydrated granules and stir to combine.
3. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Put a stainless-steel cooling rack on a baking sheet and line the rack with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. The cooling rack is not required but is recommended, as it will prevent excessive browning that would occur from direct contact with the hot baking sheet.
4. Put the dry ingredients in a large bowl and whisk until well combined. Give the wet ingredients a quick stir and then pour all at once into the dry ingredients. Fold the mixture together with a sturdy silicone spatula, just until all the ingredients are incorporated and a soft dough begins to form. Do not knead the dough, as this will make it elastic and difficult to shape into patties.
5. Flatten the dough evenly in the bottom of the bowl and divide it into 4 to 6 equal portions (depending upon how thick or thin you prefer them) with the edge of the spatula.
6. Pick up a piece of dough, form it into a ball, and then press it flat in the palm of your hand. Put the ring mold on the lined baking sheet and put the flattened dough inside the ring mold. Press the dough to fill the ring.
7. Remove the ring and repeat with the additional pieces of dough. If you don’t have a ring mold, form the dough into a ball, press it flat on the baking sheet, and then continue to press and shape the burgers.
8. Drape a sheet of foil over the baking sheet and crimp the edges to seal the
   foil. Bake on the middle oven rack for 45 minutes.
9. Remove from the oven and let cool for 30 minutes with the foil cover in place.
10. When cool enough to handle but still warm, transfer the burgers to a food storage bag.
11. Add the ingredients for the finishing marinade (or use plain water if you don’t care for smoke seasoning), press out as much air as possible, and seal the bag.
12. Refrigerate for several hours or until most of the marinade has been absorbed before grilling.
13. To grill the burgers on the stove, oil a nonstick skillet or grill pan and place over medium heat. Pan sear the burgers until heated through and nicely browned on both sides. For outdoor grilling, brush or spray the grill grates with cooking oil or use a nonstick grill mat. Brush the burgers with cooking oil before broiling or outdoor grilling. Grill until heated through and grill marks appear.
14. Avoid over-grilling since the burgers are already cooked.