The Big Kahuna Burger 2.0
Pulp Fiction: A Film by Quentin Tarantino
When Jules and Vincent go to Brett’s apartment to retrieve Marcellus’ briefcase, they didn’t know they would be catching the boys at breakfast. An apologetic Jules inquires into what they’re having, and we come to find out they got takeout from Big Kahuna Burger, a Tarantino creation. Jules is quite intrigued, “That's that Hawaiian burger joint. I heard they got some tasty burgers. I ain't never had one myself, how are they?” Brett, despite fearing for his life, admits they’re pretty good, and reluctantly acquiesces to his request for a bite.
Poor Jules doesn’t get to eat hamburgers as much as he’d like on account of his girlfriend’s vegetarianism and perhaps that is why this very average looking burger receives his glowing review - “Mmmmm, that is a tasty burger.” Or perhaps the burger was not as tasty as he said, and his culinary discontent contributes to his unleashing of the iconic Ezekiel 25:17 quote followed by Brett’s ruthless execution. Either way, I can think of no better way to watch this iconic scene than to pair it with our Kahuna Burger 2.0.
To pair with our burger, or as a night cap if you would prefer, we look to Mrs. Mia Wallace. At Jack Rabbit Slim’s, to the horror of Vincent Vega, Mia orders a $5 milkshake. Despite the fact that they “don’t put bourbon in it or nothin’,” Vincent has to admit it is “pretty fuckin’ good.” Mia orders the Martin and Lewis rather than the Amos and Andy, assumed to be a vanilla shake to reflect the white comedian duo rather than the black duo of Amos and Andy. For my own concoction, I decided to zag a little from Mia’s selection - behold the Amos and Lewis, or black and white milkshake, spiked with bourbon!
Big Kahuna Burger
Ingredients
Marmalade:
2 white onions, diced
½ cup diced jalapenos
½ cup of canned pineapples (include the juice)
½ cup of white wine vinegar
⅓ cup of brown sugar
⅓ cup of white sugar
Burgers:
2lb ground beef
2 tbsp worcestershire sauce
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1 large egg
Blue cheese
2 tbsp olive oil
6 Hawaiian buns (can buy pre-made or see below to make from scratch, with or without sourdough starter)
Caramelized Onion-Pineapple Marmalade
Heat 2 tbsp of olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat
Add onions and stir frequently until fragrant and softened, about 5 minutes
Reduce heat to medium low, being careful not to burn onions but allowing them to caramelize, stirring occasionally; this will take anywhere between 30-45 min depending on your stovetop
Once onions appear caramelized, add vinegar, brown sugar, white sugar, pineapples, and jalapenos
Reduce heat to low, continue to cook, stirring occasionally - about 5 minutes or until combined/desired thickness of marmalade
Burger patties
Add ground beef to a large mixing bowl
Add egg, salt, pepper, worcestershire sauce, and hand mix together
Shape into 6 patties with desired thickness
Heat grill or skillet to medium high heat
Place burgers on grill and heat on each side until browned (2-3 min if thin, 3-4 min if thick)
When the burgers are 1-2 min from completion, add thin strips of blue cheese to the top of the patties
Can also place the buns on the grill/stovetop to lightly toast
Spread layer of marmalade onto buns and assemble burgers
Buns
Can purchase prepackaged hawaiian buns from the supermarket
Alternatively, can make at home from scratch, I used my sourdough starter:
$5 Shake
Ingredients
1 cup vanilla ice cream
¼ cup whole milk
3 tbsp chocolate sauce (see below for full batch)
½ cup cocoa powder (51g)
½ cup granulated sugar
½ cup water
1 tsp vanilla extract
¼ tsp salt
2oz bourbon
Chocolate sauce
Heat the cocoa powder, sugar, and water over medium heat
Once at a low boil, reduce heat and stir occasionally for 3min
Remove from heat and add vanilla and salt
Shake
Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend!