Gorgonzola Hamburgers with Balsamic Onion Relish
Instructions:
- Here’s a modern burger that packs as much flavor as is possible between two buns. If
you prefer, blue cheese will do almost as well as Gorgonzola. Check out the color photo
section to get a look at this delicious burger.
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 thinly sliced Spanish onion
- Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
- 1⁄2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 1⁄4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 11⁄2 pounds ground chuck or sirloin
- 1 tablespoon peanut oil for brushing patties
- 4 ounces Gorgonzola cheese, sliced into 1⁄2- inch thick pieces
- 4 hamburger buns
- Preheat your charcoal or gas grill to high.
- Meanwhile, to prepare the Balsamic Onion Relish, heat a medium-size sauté pan, and when it’s hot add the olive oil. Add the sliced onions, tossing in the olive oil to coat. Reduce the heat to medium-high and season the onions with salt, freshly ground pepper, and crushed red pepper. Sauté the mixture, stirring often to brown evenly until the onions are soft and brown, about 12 minutes. Reduce the heat to low, add the balsamic vinegar, and then stir and cook for 3 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste and set the pan aside, leaving the relish in place.
- Divide the ground chuck or sirloin into 4 equal parts, and then shape the meat into round patties that are 4 inches across and of even thickness in the center and the sides. Lightly brush the peanut oil on both sides of the patties. Generously season both sides of each patty to taste with salt and freshly ground pepper.
- Place the hamburger patties on an oiled grill and grill for 3 to 4 minutes until nicely browned. With a spatula, turn the patties and grill for another 2 minutes. Then place one slice of Gorgonzola cheese on each patty, put the cover on the grill, and grill the patties for another 1 to 2 minutes to melt the cheese.
- Place the pan of relish back on the heat and warm for 1 minute.
- Place the hamburger patties on the buns and divide the onion relish among the 4 hamburgers. Serve immediately.