Balsamic Burgers with Havarti and Bourbon Onions
Ingredients
For Marinade:
½ cup olive oil
6 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
6 cloves crushed garlic
3 tablespoons fresh thyme- no stems
For Burgers:
2 tablespoons whipping cream
2 tablespoons beef demi-glace
1 tablespoon dijon mustard
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
2 1/2 pounds ground beef (chuck)
For Bourbon Onions:
1 stick of unsalted butter
4 medium sized Vidalia onions chopped
½ tablespoon sea salt
2 tablespoons bourbon
Olive oil for brushing on the grill
6 extra thick slices of Havarti cheese
6 soft Kaiser buns split
6 (1/4 inch thick) tomato slices
Instructions
Prepare grill to a medium high heat. To make the marinade combine the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic and thyme in a low sided flat dish. Set aside. To make the burger patties combine whipping cream, demi-glaze, mustard, cayenne pepper and salt in a fireproof grill pan and place on the grill. Stir mixture constantly until demi-glace melts and combines evenly with other ingredient (approximately 1 minute). Add this mixture to a large bowl. Add in the ground chuck. Mix until combined being careful not to over mix. Divide the mixture into 6 equal portions and form burger patties. Place burger patties into marinade. Let patties marinate for 45 minutes; flip; marinate the other side of the patties for an additional 45 minutes. To make the bourbon onions combine the butter, vidalia onions and salt in a non-stick, uncovered fireproof skillet and place on the grill rack. Cook for approximately 30 minutes. Stir onion mixture occasionally to remove caramelized bits from bottom of the pan. Cook onion mixtures until onions are soft, brown and most of the liquid is evaporated. Add bourbon, stir and cook for an additional 5 minutes. Remove pan from grill, cover and set aside. After patties have marinated a total of 90 minutes, brush grill with oil. Place patties on grill, cover and cook turning once, approximately 6-8 minutes on each side. During the final 1 minute of cooking time add the havarti cheese to each burger and cover until cheese is just melted. Add buns to grill to toast lightly. To assemble the burgers place burger patties on toasted buns, top with tomato slices and an equal portion (1/6 portion)of bourbon onions. Add the bun tops, serve and enjoy.