The Firetower Smash Burger

Green tomato season offers the perfect excuse for revitalizing a classic burger recipe! Firetower Executive Chef Joel Werner brings the tangy veggie into his “Firetower Special Sauce” for a cool, new kick of flavor. But he doesn’t stop there in making this burger unique. First, ball up the burger meat, and then smash on the griddle until the patty is flattened. Cook the burger on a griddle large enough so that all the cheese can melt and become crisp on the plancha (griddle). Once crispy, fold the cheese back over the burger to make a lacy cheese crisp. He recommends using pizza dough in 100gram portions for a great bun!

Now, dive into the recipe below for the “Firetower Special Sauce” featuring green tomatoes and our Firetower Hot Sauce.

Firetower Special Sauce

2 cups Dukes Mayonnaise
½ cup diced pickled green tomato
2 Tablespoons dijon mustard
2 Tablespoons Firetower Hot Sauce
1 Tablespoon chopped, fresh dill
Salt and pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients in a bowl, and use immediately or refrigerate.

Pickled Green Tomatoes

1-quart white wine vinegar
2 cups sugar
1-quart water
¼ cup black peppercorns
¼ cup fennel seeds
¼ cup Salt
2 Tablespoons red pepper flakes
Handful of thyme
Handful of parsley stems
Handful of dill sprigs
3 pounds of green tomatoes

Combine water, vinegar, sugar and salt and warm just to dissolve.

Toast peppercorn, fennel and red pepper, then place in a sachet and combine with vinegar.

Add your thyme, parsley and dill at this time and allow the pickle to cool.

Cut the tomatoes into ¼’s, place in a large container and pour the pickle over the tomatoes when cool. These pickled green tomatoes are best after they have had a chance to sit for a week.

The pickled green tomatoes are a great addition to the household refrigerator. They are perfect for adding that extra something special and surprising to sauces, soups, dressings and so much more.