Tag: Cuisinart Griddler

Smash Burgers using the Cuisinart Griddler

I’m a huge fan of hamburgers. Although I can enjoy a big thick-ole pub burger too, I’m always craving that thin diner-style patty with lightly crusty edges. No fancy toppings for me either. I’ll take ketchup, mustard and pickle, thank you very much. Yeah, sure, if I’m feeling adventurous I might add some onion or lettuce, but that’s where the craziness ends. Just give me that juicy, thin, hot patty topped with melted cheese and I’m one happy guy! And though I often cook my hamburgers on a grill, these Smash Burgers using the Cuisinart Griddler are outstanding too!

Smash Burgers using the Cuisinart Griddler

The Keys To Success

For me there are just a few things to keep in mind when making smash burgers using the Cuisinart Griddler. They’re easy, so no need to over-complicate them. First, get that Griddler flat plate hot. I mean hot hot. Screaming hot. Second, season the meat well and do not over-work it. Just loosely form it into balls. Don’t pack them. And last, smash! Smash! Push down on the top lid to smash them as flat as you can! That’s it! Enjoy!

Cuisinart Panini Press, Stainless Steel Griddler, Sandwich Maker & More, 5-IN-1, GR-4NP1
Cuisinart Panini Press, Stainless Steel Griddler, Sandwich Maker & More, 5-IN-1, GR-4NP1

Step your smash burgers up and slather them with some smash burger sauce.

The Griddler also makes tremendous steak sandwiches.

Smash Burgers using the Cuisinart Griddler
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4.17 from 6 votes

Smash Burgers using the Cuisinart Griddler

The Cuisinart Griddler makes outstandingly good Smash Burgers!
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword burgers, Griddler
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Servings 2
Calories 486kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Place the flat plates on your Griddler. Do not use the ridged sides. Heat your Griddler by turning the Selector to 'Grill-Panini' and the Grill-Panini knob to 'Sear'.
  • While your Griddler is heating up, place the ground beef in a medium bowl. Season liberally with salt and pepper. Don't be shy with it!
  • Divide the beef in half and form into 2 balls. Do not pack them tightly, just shape them enough so they are ball-like. They don't have to be perfect.
  • Place the meat onto the griddle and close the top. Press down until the top cannot go any further. Smash them burgers!
  • Cook the burgers for 4-6 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165 F. Toast your hamburger buns, if desired, while the burgers are cooking.
  • Open the griddle and top the patties with the cheese. Let melt slightly then remove to the buns.
  • Top patties with pickles, squirt the ketchup and mustard on top. Add any desired other toppings and serve.

Notes

After you make a few smash burgers the process becomes very easy and always delivers great results.

Nutrition

Calories: 486kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 102mg | Sodium: 639mg | Potassium: 386mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 199IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 302mg | Iron: 4mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

OXO Good Grips Electric Grill and Panini Press Brush, Black
OXO Good Grips Electric Grill and Panini Press Brush, Black
Cuisinart GR-WAFP Electric Griddler, Waffle Plates Set of 2
Cuisinart GR-WAFP Electric Griddler, Waffle Plates Set of 2

French Toast using the Cuisinart Griddler

I don’t need an excuse like it being morning to have breakfast. I’ll have it for lunch or dinner, too. And one of my long-time favorites to have is French toast. And this here is my go-to recipe for making perfect French toast using my Cuisinart Griddler. My Griddler gets a lot of use. For everything from paninis to French toast, it’s a real workhorse.

French Toast using the Cuisinart Griddler

I Like It Simple

I like my French toast to have just a bit of a crunchiness along the edges so I cook mine longer than the time I have in the recipe. It’s up to you. And I admit, I’m not too fancy when it comes to topping it either. Warm maple syrup and maybe some butter, that’s it. I always think about sprinkling on some powdered sugar. Or adding some fruit. But in the end, I end up with the simple approach.

Cuisinart Panini Press, Stainless Steel Griddler, Sandwich Maker & More, 5-IN-1, GR-4NP1
Cuisinart Panini Press, Stainless Steel Griddler, Sandwich Maker & More, 5-IN-1, GR-4NP1

As an aside, the Griddler is the perfect cooker for travel. I always take mine with me if we are renting a place on the beach or a cabin in the woods. You never know what there’ll be available to cook on where you’re going. When I take the Griddler I know I can make breakfast, lunch and dinner without any worries.

French Toast using the Cuisinart Griddler
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5 from 1 vote

French Toast using the Cuisinart Griddler

This is my go-to recipe for making perfect French toast using my Cuisinart Griddler.
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Keyword Cuisinart, French toast, Griddler
Prep Time 4 hours
Cook Time 15 minutes
Servings 2
Calories 455kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 4 large eggs beaten
  • ½ cup whole milk
  • 1 tablespoon Turbinado sugar
  • 1 pinch Kosher salt
  • 1 pinch cinnamon
  • 4 slices bread thick is best
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter divided
  • Your favorite toppings for serving

Instructions

  • Whisk together the egg, milk, sugar, salt and cinnamon. Pour into a shallow pan (I used an 9" x 11" baking dish).
  • Add the bread slices. Refrigerate for 4 hours. Optionally, flip after 2 hours (carefully! the bread may be very soft and want to fall apart).
  • Heat up your Griddler using the griddle plates. Set the Griddle dial to 425 F and the Selector to Griddle. Open the Griddler with the plates flat, side-by-side.
  • Once the griddles are hot place 1 tablespoon of butter on each griddle plate. Using a nylon brush or heat proof spatula, spread the butter out evenly. You don't want the bread to stick.
  • Add 2 slices of the bread to each griddle plate.
  • Cook for 5-10 minutes per side. Cook time is going to depend on how thick your bread is and how you like your bread done. This recipe produces a moist, soft French toast. If you like yours to have a bit of a crust you will have to cook the bread longer. Be careful flipping the bread
  • When the bread is done to your liking remove and serve with your favorite toppings.

Notes

I prefer Brioche bread for making French toast. Texas toast is great too. Any nice thick bread makes for the best results.

Nutrition

Calories: 455kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 408mg | Sodium: 479mg | Potassium: 324mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 987IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 205mg | Iron: 4mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

OXO Good Grips Electric Grill and Panini Press Brush, Black
OXO Good Grips Electric Grill and Panini Press Brush, Black
Cuisinart GR-WAFP Electric Griddler, Waffle Plates Set of 2
Cuisinart GR-WAFP Electric Griddler, Waffle Plates Set of 2

Quick Fix Steak Sandwich using the Cuisinart Griddler

You’re at this post for a reason. Maybe, like me, you actually like Steak-Umms. Like many, I was first exposed to them in a school lunch cafeteria years and years ago. And like many kids of the time, I would go home and beg mom to get them so I could have a steak sandwich there too. Mom wasn’t too keen on them, but would buy them for me as a rare treat. I’d have them about as simple as you could get: fried the Steak-Ummm, put it on a bun or white bread with ketchup, eat. Well, now I step things up with my quick fix steak sandwich, made using the Cuisinart Griddler.

Quick Fix Steak Sandwich using the Cuisinart Griddler

Easy Is Right. And Good.

The Griddler makes making a steak sandwich about as easy as you can get. Having the two big cooking griddles lets you cook several things at once. Without it, I’d end up with a skillet for the Steak-Umms, another for the onions and peppers, and I’d probably fire up the oven or toaster just to toast my sub roll. Sheesh, that’s a lot of stuff when I can do it all on my Griddler.

Quick Fix Steak Sandwich using the Cuisinart Griddler

The History Of Steak-Umms

The history of the Steak-Umm is actually rather interesting. You can read about it here.

Cuisinart Panini Press, Stainless Steel Griddler, Sandwich Maker & More, 5-IN-1, GR-4NP1
Cuisinart Panini Press, Stainless Steel Griddler, Sandwich Maker & More, 5-IN-1, GR-4NP1

You can also make outstandingly good smash burgers on the Griddler.

Quick Fix Steak Sandwich using the Cuisinart Griddler
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Quick Fix Steak Sandwich using the Cuisinart Griddler

The Griddler makes making a steak sandwich about as easy as you can get. Having the two big cooking griddles lets you cook several things at once.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword Cuisinart, Griddler, quick fix, sandwich
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 1
Calories 326kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 hoagie sandwich roll split
  • 1 slice Steak-umm or other thin-sliced frozen steak
  • ¼ green bell pepper sliced thin
  • ¼ cup mushrooms sliced thin
  • ¼ cup onion sliced thin
  • 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
  • kosher salt to taste
  • ground black pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons Cheez Whiz or other cheese dip, warmed

Instructions

  • Open your Griddler so that the griddle plates are open flat. You want to use the smooth griddles.
  • Turn the Griddler Selector knob (the center one) to 'griddle'. Set the temperature know to 425 F, the maximum.
  • Once the green light is lit, indicating that the Griddler is at 425 F, you can being cooking.
  • Place the bell peppers and onion in a small bowl. Drizzle with the oil and season with salt and pepper. Stir and transfer to one side of one of the griddle plates. See my picture for how I arrange things on the Griddler.
  • On the other plate place the bread halves. Let them toast as long as desired as the rest of the ingredients cook.
  • Let the onion and peppers cook for 5 minutes, stirring a few times.
  • Add the mushrooms to the onion and peppers. Stir and cook another 5 minutes. The vegetables should be just starting to turn tender.
  • Place the Steak-umm on the griddle plate alongside the vegetables. Season as desired.
  • Continue cooking the Steak-umm until it starts to brown along the edges. Flip and continue cooking until done.
  • Assemble the sandwich by placing the Steak-umm on the bottom bread half. Add the cooked vegetables. Drizzle on the cheese, add the bread top.

Notes

Serve with plenty of napkins. The cheese will be nice and runny!

Nutrition

Calories: 326kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 25mg | Sodium: 837mg | Potassium: 266mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 325IU | Vitamin C: 28mg | Calcium: 138mg | Iron: 11mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

OXO Good Grips Electric Grill and Panini Press Brush, Black
OXO Good Grips Electric Grill and Panini Press Brush, Black
Cuisinart GR-WAFP Electric Griddler, Waffle Plates Set of 2
Cuisinart GR-WAFP Electric Griddler, Waffle Plates Set of 2