BAGEL BEEF SANDWICH

by Joy Ellington

During my childhood, a full afterschool meal for an unsupervised 8-year-old would make any mother flip out. But then she would try that meal, and just like that, she understood immediately. This recipe is like when you don’t have hot dog bread for your hot dog or when you have ham for a sandwich but no cheese. Since I am an “extra” person, I made this “struggle meal” special -A juicy patty with a fulfilling bagel: the sweetest, savory, affordable home meal. You’ll feel like a 5-star chef making this, and it’s so simple and delicious you can use this as many times as you want.

Serves: 12 Estimated Cook Time: 1 hour

Ingredients

2 pound ground beef

½ cup panko bread crumbs

2 tablespoon worcestershire sauce

1 large egg

1 ½ teaspoons olive oil, plus more for cooking

1 teaspoon garlic powder

½ teaspoon onion powder

½ teaspoon paprika

1 tablespoon salt

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 white onion, finely diced, divided

12 slices cheese, preferably cheddar, or colby jack unsalted butter, for cooking

12 sesame seed bagels, halved horizontally

1 Celebrity tomato, sliced ¼ inch thick mayonnaise, for serving (optional)

½ pound iceberg lettuce, sliced 1-inch thick

1 tablespoon brown sugar

Directions

1. In a medium bowl combine the beef, breadcrumbs, Worcestershire sauce, egg, olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and half of the diced onion. Divide the meat mixture into 12 even sized balls.

2. Heat a large stainless steel skillet over high heat with enough olive oil to coat the pan.

3. Add the remaining half of the diced onion and cook until starting to brown. Remove onions from the skillet and set aside.

4. Return the skillet to the head and add more olive oil. Working in batches, add a ball to griddle and immediately flatten with a spatula to a 1/2-3/4 inch patty. Repeat until you cannot fit any more patties in the pan.

5. Cook until the patties are golden brown on the first side before flipping and topping each with a slice of cheese. Cover the skillet with a lid and cook until the cheese is melted. Transfer the patties to a plate and continue with the remaining meat mixture until all of the patties are cooked. Set aside.

6. Set the onions and patties to the side and, to the same skillet, add enough butter to coat the pan. Toast the bagels cut side down, adding more butter as needed. Set aside.

7. Add the sliced tomatoes to the same skillet, to briefly warm through, about one minute

Assembly:

1. If using, spread a thin layer of mayo over each bagel half. To the bottom half of each bagel, add a patty, followed by some of the caramelized onions, a slice of tomato and lettuce. Top with the other half of the bagel. Sprinkle the brown sugar over the tops of the bagels.

2. Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add the bagels sugared side down and toast until sugar is dissolved, about one minute.