The humorously named “garbage plate” was developed by Greek immigrant Alex Tahou at his restaurant, Nick Tahou Hots. The restaurant, founded in 1918, was named for the founder's son, and remains a famous Rochester, New York, landmark. First called “hots and potatoes,” the notoriously greasy garbage plate began as a “kitchen sink”-style dish. A pair of hamburger patties or hot dogs were served on top of a number of sides, piled high with a meat-based hot sauce, and served with thick slices of Italian bread. According to legend, a group of local college students requested “the plate with all the garbage on it,” and the name “garbage plate” was born. It was trademarked in 1992. The dish is sold at hamburger joints throughout the Greater Rochester Area, but is scarcely available outside of the city.
Recipe Servings: 4
Ingredients
Macaroni Salad:
- 8 oz elbow macaroni (about 1¾ cups)
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 Tbsp vinegar
- 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
- 1 cup thinly sliced celery
- 1 cup chopped green or red bell pepper
- ¼ cup chopped onion
Fries:
- 3 large russet potatoes, peeled and quartered
- 2 Tbsp cooking oil
- 1 Tbsp butter
- ¼ tsp paprika
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp onion powder
Meat Hot Sauce:
- 1 large yellow onion, chopped
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 cup water, plus more if needed
- ¼ cup tomato paste
- 1 Tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp chili powder
- ¾ tsp cayenne pepper
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp allspice
- ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground cloves
Cheeseburgers:
- 1½ lbs ground beef
- Salt, to taste
- Ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 Tbsp butter
Optional:
Directions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and add macaroni.
- Cook for 9–12 minutes until done.
- Drain and cool.
- In a large bowl, mix mayonnaise, vinegar, mustard, sugar, salt, and pepper.
- Stir in macaroni and celery, green pepper, and onion.
- Microwave the quartered potatoes, covered, for 4 minutes. Allow the softened potatoes to cool.
- Chop the potatoes into ½-inch pieces.
- In a medium frying pan, warm oil and butter over medium heat. When the oil is hot, add the potatoes and fry until all sides are crispy.
- Coat potatoes evenly with paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic and fry until softened.
- Add the ground beef. Stir to break up any clumps. Cook until brown.
- Add water and tomato paste. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 10 minutes. Add the sugar and spices and simmer for an additional 30 minutes. Add water if the mixture gets dry.
- Remove the sauce from heat and cool. Process with a blender or food processor until nearly smooth.
- Form the ground beef into 4–6 ¼-inch patties. Generously season with salt and black pepper.
- In a medium skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat. When the butter is hot, add the burger patties. The meat should sizzle when it touches the pan.
- Cook the meat for 3–4 minutes, and then flip. Top with cheese, which will melt while the bottom of the burger cooks for an additional 4 minutes.
- Prepare the garbage plates by laying one scoop of cold macaroni salad next to one portion of hot home fries.
- Add two cheeseburgers on top of the macaroni and home fries.
- Top with meat hot sauce, which should be served hot. Top the entire plate with chopped onions.
For Macaroni Salad:
For Fries:
For Meat Hot Sauce:
For Cheeseburgers:
For Assembly:
Notes
Optional:
Top with ketchup, yellow mustard, and hot sauce and serve with buttered slices of warm Italian bread.
Recipe introduction and directions © Copyright 2016-2024 World Trade Press. All rights reserved.