My Hamburger

Method

1. Slice the onion and set aside. Heat a pan with a tiny drizzle of oil and cook the onion slices with a pinch of salt until softened and lightly charred.
2. While the onion cooks, slice the tomatoes and set aside.
3. Prepare the pickles and iceberg lettuce: pick a few lettuce leaves and cut them to size.
4. Season the ground beef with salt, pepper, and optionally garlic powder and onion powder. Mix gently.
5. Shape the seasoned meat into two patties using a hamburger press or by hand, pressing firmly. Place on a piece of parchment paper.
6. Heat a clean pan with a little oil. Cook the patties until browned and cooked to your liking. Towards the end, top each patty with one or two slices of cheddar cheese, cover the pan, and let the cheese melt.
7. Cut the burger buns in half. In the same pan used for the onions (or a new one), toast the cut sides of the buns with a little oil and residual onion pieces until golden and flavorful.
8. Assemble the burgers: spread mayonnaise on the bottom bun half. Add a lettuce leaf, then the patty with melted cheese. Top with pickles and caramelized onions. Add ketchup. Sprinkle a pinch of salt over the tomato slices and place them on top. Close with the other bun half.
9. Serve immediately. Remember: never cut the hamburger.