so a few nights ago, we decided to make burgers on the grill. not just any burgers though, these are special burgers. i got kind of inspired while doing laundry that day and watching one of my favorite food network cooks- Barefoot Contessa. My meemaw loved her show and now every time i watch it i think of her. on my days off when i’m able to stay home I always try to catch it or DVR an episode, even if it’s one i’ve seen…cause I just love her and i swear if I could only live her life… LOL. Anyway, these burgers are a take on her burger recipe/ another recipe Jimmy and I have done before for black and blue burgers. I added the balsamic onions which was her recipe too and it really makes these the tastiest backyard burgers ever. you must try…they are easy to cook even on a baby weber like we have!!
for burgers:
2 lbs 80% lean ground beef or ground sirloin
italian breadcrumbs, about 1/2 cup
1 large egg
Worcestershire, about 6-8 tablespoons
garlic, grated or smashed, about 2 large cloves
salt and pepper to taste
for blue cheese filling:
1 container 8 oz. good blue cheese
1 8 oz container cream cheese, softened ( you can use lower fat or not fat for this)
First, combine the cream cheese and blue cheese and form hockey-puck shaped rounds. about 1/2 inch thick. Make about 4-6 depending on how many burgers you plan on making. refrigerate the cheese mixture for up to 30 mins, until rounds are solid and not sticky. Next, combine all ingredients for burgers in a large bowl, making sure to mix well. Cover with Saran wrap and refrigerate for about 10 mins. While these are cooling, get your charcoal or gas grill going to a rolling fire, to get those burgers on!
Next, take out cheese rounds and burger mixture, forming the burgers around the hockey pucks. Being sure to form them well enough that they stay together pretty well. Then, throw them on the grill and cook until desired tenderness is reached. While grilling, make sure not to mash burgers down with any type of spatula, this releases juices and also will make burgers fall apart. Be very cautious when flipping burgers as well!
While the burgers are going, prepare toppings for burgers. Take one large red onion, slice thinly, and spread over an oiled baking sheet. Sprinkle liberally with salt and pepper, and good balsamic vinegar, making sure all onions are covered. It helps in this step if you cover your baking sheet first with aluminum foil, because the vinegar will burn if you aren’t careful. For the second topping, cover another baking sheet with parchment paper and lay out about 8-10 strips of bacon. I used maple bacon, which is our favorite, but you can use any kind you like. You can also cook the bacon in a skillet if you prefer but I find that cooking it in the oven is also easier and crisps it up more evenly. Cook both the onions and the bacon on about 375 degrees for 10-15 minutes. When the onions come out, sprinkle more balsamic on top and let them cool.
When the burgers are done, let them rest. Then fix them however you like! you can add lettuce and tomato, mayo and all the condiments,whatever you like. Make sure you add the onions and bacon! And when buying buns for these guys, get the good ones. The Sara Lee sesame large buns are our favorite, soft and perfect size for these burgers!
Please try this recipe at your next backyard or football gathering, they are wonderful! Till next time, your favorite food gal, Katie 🙂
p.s. I swear i’m gonna get jimmy to update on this thing one day!
katie and jimmy's food blog 