| How to Make Juicy Burgers Posted: 16 Feb 2018 04:00 PM PST Homemade hamburgers are a delicious treat for lunch or dinner, and can be made on a stovetop or a grill. Keeping the burger juicy will seal the flavor inside of the meat. A juicy, thick burger will have more flavor than a thin, dry, overcooked burger. To cook juicy burgers, purchase ground beef with a high amount of fat. Handle the patties gently when you're shaping them. Finally, avoid squashing the burgers with a spatula while they're cooking. EditPreparing Your Patties - Shop for fresh-ground meat to make burgers with. Freshly ground beef will make the best and juiciest hamburgers. Look in the supermarket's butcher case. This will have been ground more recently than packaged beef. In general, avoid purchasing pre-packaged beef for your burgers.[1]
- Also avoid purchasing frozen ground beef, no matter how fresh it is. Freezing the beef will decrease its taste and make for a dryer burger.[2]
- Purchase ground beef with 80% lean and 20% fat. Meat with this ratio—often referred to as "ground round"—has a relatively high percentage of fat to lean. Fattier beef will always result in a juicer burger. 85% lean and 15% fat (ground chuck) should be okay. Just avoid any ground beef that is 90% lean or higher (ground sirloin). Even if this beef is cheaper, it'll almost always result in a dry burger.[3]
- You can purchase ground beef at any supermarket. If you'd like organic meat, check a health food grocery store, or look in the organic section of a large supermarket.
- Tear off a generous chunk of beef to form the patties. Once you've brought the ground beef home, you can form the individual patties. The size of the patties can be left up to personal preference, but in general a fist-sized chunk of beef will produce a good sized burger.[4]
- Handle the meat gently. When you're tearing chunks of beef off of the slab you bought, do not handle and squeeze the meat too much. If you mash the beef while you're handling it, you'll wring some of the moisture out of the meat.[5]
- Form burger patties with your hands. Use your hands to gently press each fist-sized chunk of ground beef into a relatively flat, disc-shaped patty. If you're working on a hard surface (a clean countertop or a plastic cutting board), you can press the patties against the surface to avoid squeezing them too hard with your hands.[6]
- Shape your patties however you like. In general, the patties should be about across and high before cooking.
- Press a dimple into the center of each burger. Your burgers will cook quickly at the edges, and more slowly in the centers. To achieve a burger that is evenly cooked through, use your index and middle finger to press a dimple into the top of each burger. Aim to make the center of each patty about lower than the edges of the patty.[7]
- The dimple will also prevent your burgers from bulging up in the middle.
EditCooking Burgers on the Stovetop - Set a flat frying pan on a burner at medium-high heat. Depending on the number of burgers you're planning to cook, you can use either a large or a small frying pan.[8]
- On most ranges, medium-high heat will be about 7.
- Add the burgers once the pan is hot. The patties should each sizzle when they hit the hot surface of the pan.[9] Give each burger at least of space on either side in the skillet, so that none of the burgers fuse together as they cook.
- Flip the patties with a thin spatula after a 3-5 minutes. Once the burgers have cooked for a few minutes, slide a thin spatula under each burger and flip it over. As when molding the patties, the burgers will stay juicier if you handle them as little as possible while cooking. When flipped, each burger should have be seared to a dark golden-brown on the bottom side.[10]
- Never press the burgers down into the frying pan with your spatula. This will not help the burgers cook any faster, and will press liquid out of the meat. This, in turn, will result in a dryer burger.
- Cook the burgers for another 3-5 minutes on the second side. Cooking the burgers for 3-5 minutes on both sides should ensure that they're evenly cooked through. You'll know that the burger is done on the second side when it begins to sizzle. Look to see that the burger is a nice golden-brown color.
- Resist the urge to flip the burgers over 3 or 4 times. Once will be enough.
- Watch the side of the burgers to see how done they are. If you cut into a burger to see when it's done, you'll risk losing some of the juiciness you've worked hard to preserve. Instead, take a close look at the sides of a burger. If there's a slight line of pink in the middle of the side, the burger is medium-rare.[11]
- If the sides are all browned, the burger is medium.
- Serve the burgers when they're medium-rare or medium. As the burgers continue to cook, more juice will cook out of them.[12] Ensure that you'll have a juicy, flavorful burger by serving the patty when it's medium-rare or medium.
- Set the burger on a bun, and garnish with tomato, lettuce, mustard, ketchup, and whatever else you choose.
EditGrilling Juicy Burgers - Pre-heat the grill before applying your burgers. Heat two separate regions of the grill: one to be a high-heat zone at about . Set the other as a low-heat zone, about .[13]
- Let the grill pre-heat for 15 minutes before you apply the patties.
- Oil the grill as it pre-heats. While the grill is warming up, drizzle some olive oil onto a paper towel. Rub the paper towel along the surface of the grill to lubricate it. This will help your patties cook evenly and prevent them from sticking to the grill as they brown.[14]
- Set your patties on the high-heat side of the grill for about 2 minutes. The intense heat of the grill will create a delicious browned crust on either side of the burger, which adds to the rich flavor of the meat.[15]
- If you were to leave the burger over high heat, the temperature would dry out the interior of the burger and eventually overcook the whole patty.
- Flip the burgers after about 2 minutes. After the burgers have cooked for about 2 minutes on the high-heat side of the grill, use a spatula to flip them over. When flipping the burgers, keep them at a distance of about from each other.[16]
- If the burgers are too close together, they may cook unevenly or fuse together while cooking.
- Move the patties over to the low-heat side once they're browned on both sides. Once both sides of the burgers are evenly browned, use your spatula to gingerly lift the patties and move them to the low-heat side of the grill. [17]
- Keep a close eye on the cooking burgers so that you can remove them from the grill when they're as done as you'd like them to be.
- Cook the burgers for 3-4 minutes on the low-heat side. Here, their juicy insides will continue to cook without getting dried out or burnt. Use the full surface of the low-heat side of your grill to keep the burgers from touching one another.[18]
- Flip the burgers at about the 2-minute mark. This will ensure that all of the patties are evenly cooked through on both sides.
- Remove the burgers when they're medium-rare to medium . Evaluate how cooked the burgers are by paying attention to their size and firmness. Burgers will shrink and tighten up as they cook. A rare burger will still be juicy if lightly pressed with a spatula, and will be soft and slightly squishy.[19]
- If you're using a meat thermometer, a rare burger will be about . A medium-well burger will be about .
- If you cook your burger to a higher temperature, it will no longer be juicy.
- Ground meat is not considered fully cooked until its interior temperature is . If you'd like to make sure that your burger is fully cooked, insert a meat thermometer into its center. Keep in mind that fully cooking your burger will result in well-done beef. However, if meat isn't fully cooked through, you run the risk of ingesting E Coli.[20]
EditThings You'll Need EditStovetop Burgers - Ground beef patties
- Thin spatula
- Frying pan
- Meat thermometer (optional)
EditGrilled Burgers - Ground beef patties
- Olive oil
- Paper towel
- Spatula
- Meat thermometer (optional)
EditSources and Citations
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| How to Treat a Wind Burn Posted: 16 Feb 2018 08:00 AM PST After a long day skiing on the slopes or jogging in frigid weather, you may notice you have developed dry, red, swollen skin, also known as wind burn. Wind burn is caused by cold wind and low humidity, leading to cracked, irritated skin that burns. This painful skin condition can be treated by applying moisturizer, gel, or ointment to soothe your skin. You can also care for the wind burn so it heals properly. Make sure you take steps like wearing a face mask or other protective gear to prevent getting wind burn so you can enjoy the great outdoors without having to worry about dry, irritated skin. EditApplying Moisturizer, Gel, or Ointment - Apply a moisturizing cream. Look for a cream that contains hydrating ingredients like shea butter, oats, and lanolin. Make sure the cream is paraben and fragrance-free so it does not irritate your skin.[1]
- Avoid creams with harsh chemicals or dyes, as they can irritate your skin.
- Use a hydrating ointment. Ointment is usually thicker than cream and can be a good option if your skin is really irritated or burned.[2]
- It can be especially helpful to apply these ointments overnight. Take care, though, that you do not get any in your eyes.
- Do not look for a triple antibiotic ointment that contains hydrocortisone, unless your skin is broken, infected, and does not seem to be healing. Hydrocortisone usage is good for eczema and treating itch, but will thin your skin out and weaken it, if used more than recommended.[3]
- Brands such as First Aid Beauty, Cetaphil, CeraVe, and Vanicream are well recognized as good for skin healing.
- Apply aloe vera gel. Aloe vera gel can help to soothe dry or irritated skin, much like it does for a sunburn. Look for aloe vera gel at your local health food store or online.[4]
- Use coconut oil for a natural option. Coconut oil is great for hydrating and soothing irritated skin. It can also help your skin heal faster. Look for coconut oil at your local health food store or online.[5]
EditCaring for Wind Burn - Stay indoors and avoid the sun. Try not to go outside and expose your skin to the sun or cold weather. Give your skin time to heal before you venture outside in harsh winds or cold temperatures.[6]
- Have lukewarm showers or baths. Very hot showers or baths can dry out your skin further and slow down healing. Opt for lukewarm showers or baths instead so your skin can recover.[7]
- Do not rub or scratch at your skin. Doing so can make the wind burn worse. Try not to touch your skin at all, except gently in a shower or bath, so it can heal.[8]
- Wear long sleeve shirts and clothing that covers any areas with wind burn so your skin can recover.
- Take over-the-counter pain medication. If you experience pain due to wind burn, have OTC pain medication like ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Follow the dosage instructions on the label and never take more than the recommended amount.[9]
EditPreventing Wind Burn - Apply SPF 15 or higher before you go outside. Protect your skin from burning by wearing sunscreen any time you go outside, especially if you are going to be outdoors for a long period of time.[10]
- Put on a thick, moisturizing cream to protect your skin. Cover any exposed skin with moisturizing cream to lock in the natural oils in your skin and keep it hydrated. Put lip chap on your lips as well to protect them from wind burn.[11]
- Make sure you reapply the cream as necessary so your skin stays hydrated and protected.
- Keep your skin covered when you go outside. Try not to expose your skin to the elements if you can help it. Wear long sleeves and pants as well as gloves, a scarf, and a face covering if you are venturing out into harsh winds or cold weather.[12]
EditSources and Citations
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| How to Do Advanced Computer Yoga Posted: 16 Feb 2018 12:00 AM PST Computer yoga is an easy and enjoyable way to unwind at your desk. When done correctly, it can help your muscles relax and give your mind some time to detox. If you have a desk job or spend a lot of time staring at a screen, advanced computer yoga can help you become happier and achieve a deeper level of relaxation. EditRelaxing Your Body - Use head tilts to stretch out your neck. When practicing computer yoga, it's best to start at the head and move down. To do this, move your head in all directions by pushing your neck forwards and backwards and turning it from side to side. Try to make your motions gentle and calculated, not erratic or jerky, and give yourself ample time to complete each one. Every time you move to a new side, stretch your neck out as far as you can and hold it in place for 3 long, deep breaths. Repeat this for 30 seconds to a minute.[1]
- Perform shrugs, rolls, and shifts to relax your shoulders. To stretch out your shoulders, try shrugging them, rolling them back and forth, or shifting them up and down. Do these motions slowly enough that you can feel each time your muscles move. While stretching, pick 2 positions to switch between, such as shoulders up and shoulders down. When you enter the first position, inhale and hold the position for 3 seconds. Then, move to the other position and exhale. Repeat this for up to 1 minute.[2]
- Twist your upper body to loosen your spine. Spinal stretches are particularly good for relieving tension caused by a poor sitting posture. To do them, hold your neck and shoulders firm and keep your lower body still so you can focus entirely on your back. Inhale, then twist your spine to one side. Hold this position for 3 seconds, then return to the center and exhale. Do the same with the other side, then repeat the whole process for between 30 seconds and 1 minute.[3]
- Put your feet down and move them in circles to ground yourself. Place your feet firmly on the ground and concentrate on their connection to the planet. Visualize the earth turning in your mind, then move your feet in a circular motion, mimicking the speed of the rotating planet. Take deep, long breaths from your diaphragm, matching them to the rhythm of the earth. Do this for up to 1 minute.[4]
- Massage your body from head to toe to relax your muscles. For areas with little stress, this can be as simple as touching your body for a physical reminder of your presence on Earth. For areas with a lot of stress, press deep into the skin and rub it with force to remove as much tension as you can. As you massage, focus on releasing negativity from your body. Massage yourself for as long as you feel is necessary.[5]
- To release tension from your eyes and face, gently cover the areas with your fingers or palms and move them in a circular motion.
EditFinding Inner Peace - Think of a mantra to better focus yourself. When performing spiritual yoga, reciting a mantra out loud or in your head can help you block out excess thoughts. The most common mantra is "Om," but any simple, calming word or phrase will work.[6]
- Take deep, full breaths to block out excess thoughts. Place your hands on your stomach and begin to take deep breaths, inhaling and exhaling from your diaphragm. Focus on nothing but your breathing until it starts to feel natural, second nature. This process, known as breathsensing, will help you block out distracting, useless, and obsessive thoughts while forming a deeper relationship with your breathing.[7]
- Visualize yourself as a powerful entity to see your place in the universe. Put your hands together as if you were praying. Imagine yourself as a spiritual being, such as the Buddha, or as a collection of pure energy. Remember that you are connected to something greater, whether that be a deity, supernatural power, or the cosmos. This greater entity is where you come from, what you are a part of, and where your energy lies.[8]
- Send good vibrations to people to help yourself feel more positive. Focus your mind on someone who, as soon as you think of them, elicits a warm, happy feeling within you. Visualize them standing with you and let the idea flood you with positive emotions. In your mind, wish them health, safety, happiness, and relaxation, then stretch your hands out to send light and positivity to them. Repeat this step with:[9]
- Yourself, opening your mind up for personal joy and happiness.
- Someone you barely know, such as a work or school acquaintance.
- A person you dislike or have passionate disagreements with.
- The world and everybody in it, no matter who they are.
- Ask for guidance as a reminder that you're not alone. Hold your hands in front of your heart and rub them together. If you are religious, think of a divine being or enlightened master and ask them for guidance. If you are not religious, think of the universe itself or someone you respect deeply, such as a family member or mentor, and ask them to show you the way. Remember that, as you take your next steps in life, you are not taking them alone.[10]
- Stop thinking for 1 minute to find peace. Place your hands on your stomach or legs. Focus on your breathing as it moves to different parts of your body, such as your head, thorax, stomach, legs, and feet. Let yourself be clear of all thoughts except inhaling and exhaling. Be calm as your body, mind, and spirit relax.[11]
- Think of a positive goal to end your session with. For your first few times practicing computer yoga, think about how you intend to make yourself happier in the near future, such as focusing on positive things or simply being content with your life. In later sessions, move your thoughts toward bigger things, such as how you can help other or complete your larger life goals.[12]
- Though often associated with belief systems like Buddhism and Hinduism, you can practice computer yoga regardless of your faith.
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