Like many of the greatest minds of my generation,my brain has been utterly poisoned by memes.
(My favorite is Steamed Hams but its Basket Case by Green Day.
No, I will not be taking questions.
What makes this dumb one-off sketch so enduring?
The guy who wrote itthinks its because the phrase steamed hams is simple enough to catch on.
But both of these explanations gloss over the detailswhat about Skinners frilly apron?
The overly confident steamed clams/steamed hams switcheroo?
The rush of spotting an incredibly rare Albany reference in pop culture?
Steamed hamswell, steamed cheeseburgersare totally a thing, just not in Albany.
(Were not really a burger town.)
Found almost exclusively in central Connecticut,theyre one of the most iconic hyper-regional dishes in the United States.
And wouldnt you know, itworked.
Like, really worked: this is my new favorite way to cook a burger.
Its the fastest, easiest, chillest way to make a great burger at home.
Simple as they are, Ive learned that there are a few secrets to steamed ham success.
First, use the fattiest ground beef you could findat least 20% fat.
However you dress em up, steamed hams make for a truly unforgettable luncheon.
Steamed hams (a.k.a.
Season thoroughly on both sides with salt and pepper and wrap tightly in foil packets.
Set a steamer rack in your Instant Pot and add about an inch of water to the insert.
While they cook, toast your buns well in a cast-iron or nonstick pan over medium heat.
When the cook time is up, let the burgers sit for 2-3 minutes before manually releasing the pressure.
Serve with all the fixins and whatever sides you like.
