The DIY Pantry (14 page)

1. Prepare your breading station by placing the flour in one bowl, the eggs in a second bowl, and the bread crumbs in a third. Have a parchment paper–lined baking sheet at the ready.
   
2. Cut the raw chicken breasts into chunks and coarsely chop the raw bacon, if using. Place in a food processor with the salt and pepper and process until smooth.
   
3. Using moistened hands, form the mixture into nuggets no more than
   ³
   ⁄
   ₄
   " thick. Bread each nugget by dredging it first in the flour, then dipping it in the eggs, and lastly rolling it in the bread crumbs bowl. Shake off the excess mixture after each step. Place breaded nuggets on a parchment paper–lined baking sheet.
   
4. Freeze on the baking sheet until nuggets are solid, about 3–6 hours; then transfer to an airtight storage container. Freeze for up to 3 months.
   
5. To bake, place the frozen nuggets on a baking sheet and bake in a 350°F oven for 18–22 minutes, flipping once. Test for doneness by pricking one nugget with a fork; the juices should run clear.
   

This is a large recipe, but keep in mind that you’ll make these patties in order to stock your freezer instead of purchasing patties at the store. Made with simple ingredients and steps, these patties will provide you with the perfect base for all your favorite flavors at the time of cooking. If there are specific tastes or ingredients you always gravitate toward when making burgers, such as barbecue sauce or crumbled blue cheese, feel free to add those in the recipe, too!

1. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, minced onion, and liquid smoke. Mix well, but handle the meat as gently and as little as possible, as overhandling can cause the meat to shrink during cooking. Divide the mixture into sixteen portions.
   
2. With a light touch, pat each portion into a
   ¹
   ⁄
   ₂
   "-thick patty and press a dent into the middle of each one to prevent plumping up during cooking. Too thin is better than too thick, in this case. Generously season each patty on both sides with salt and pepper.
   
3. Stack the patties in an airtight storage container separated by pieces of wax paper, freezer paper, butcher paper, or parchment paper and store in the freezer for up to 3 months or in a deep freeze for up to 6 months.
   
4. To cook, either grill the frozen patties for 15–20 minutes, until the internal temperature is 160°F, or bake them. To bake, place the patties on a baking sheet in a 400°F oven, and bake for 2–3 minutes, then reduce the temperature to 250°F and cook for another 30–35 minutes.
   

These are great burgers for tossing in the freezer and just pulling out when you’re wanting a quick supper. For omnivores, vegetarians, and vegans alike, these burgers are very flexible and a perennial favorite.

1. Place the oats in a blender or a food processor and pulse until very fine, but not ground into flour. Set aside.
   
2. Mix all the remaining ingredients in a food processor, electric mixer, or a large mixing bowl and process until everything is well mixed. Use a food processor if you want smoothly textured burgers and a mixer if you want a chunkier texture.
   
3. Add in the oats and mix again until the mixture can easily be formed into a patty. Place in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This helps the patties stay together as they are cooked.
   
4. When the mixture is well chilled, scoop out about
   ¹
   ⁄
   ₂
   cup, press into a 3"–4" patty, and set on a baking sheet. Shape the remaining patties in the same way until the entire mixture is used.
   
5. At this point, you can cook the burgers right away or freeze them for later use. To freeze, place the entire baking sheet in the freezer until burgers are solid, 2–3 hours. Place the burgers in an airtight container or freezer bag separated by wax paper and freeze for up to 6 months.
   
6. Prepare frozen patties by baking at 350°F for 30 minutes, turning once. You can also thaw them and then pan-fry each patty over medium heat in a lightly oiled sauté pan for 3–4 minutes per side.
   
7. To cook immediately, preheat a sauté pan with 1 tablespoon of palm shortening or your favorite sauté oil. Pan-fry the burgers for 3–4 minutes per side; then serve as traditional burgers or topped with salsa and guacamole.