Steamed Hams in progress. Ham at top has just been flipped; grey edges at the bottom of the others indicates they are ready for the same treatment.
Unlike Principal Skinner’s deception on the legendary Simpsons episode*, our steamed hams actually are steamed, not grilled. We were inspired to create them when a friend posted a picture of the White Castle Vending Machine at Logan Airport. We had to have some immediately, confirmed in Google Maps that the nearest White Castle is a 3 ½ hour drive, then realized an actual steamed ham might be similar to their product. Makes six steamed hams.
Ingredients:
1 lb ground beef, 80/20 or equivalent, not lean
1 c finely chopped onions or ¼ c dehydrated onions, reconstituted in ½ c water
6 slices of American cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
6 cheap hamburger buns
Yellow mustard (optional)
Dill pickle slices (optional)
Want! White Castle vending machine at Logan Airport.
Method: separate beef into 6 balls of equal size and squish each into a thin patty the diameter of a burger bun. Place the onions in a big skillet with a very small amount of water to prevent sticking (the onions will release their own juices as the cook). Heat over a low flame for several minutes until the onions start to steam. Slide patties on top of onions, carefully so the layer of onions stays intact. Salt and pepper as you like (we used about ¾ t Kosher salt and ¼ t pepper for six patties.)
Steam a few more minutes until the patties become gray at the bottom edge and flip with a spatula, picking up some onions. Add slices of cheese if you like and cook further, still on low, until the cheese melts. Scoop each patty onto the bottom half of a burger bun, and top with any remaining onion bits from the skillet. Add condiments if you wish (we use yellow mustard and dill pickle chips), place top bun over all, and serve.
*The steamed hams episode turned 30 this year, and the writer of the segment, Bill Oakley, had a meet-and-greet in Albany, NY to celebrate. Tickets were $50, with steamed hams available for an additional $25.
Steamed Hams, ready to be plated.
