My husband, as I have mentioned more than once on this blog, never met a burger he didn’t like! I have https://bettyrosbottom.com/2019/09/20/pimento-cheese-makes-a-winning-burger/made all manner of burgers for family meals, and never has my spouse been disappointed. Piquant Cheeseburgers with Roasted Jalapenos, juicy Hamburgers with Mahon, Avocados, and Chipotle Mayo, plus delectable Pimento Cheese Burgers all hold places in his “burger hall of fame.” Recently I’ve been testing Fall Cheeseburgers with Mushrooms, Red Onions, and Truffled Mayo, a recipe my talented assistant, Emily Bell, shared with me.
Decidedly indulgent, these burgers make great sandwiches to serve on cool, autumn days. Grilled brioche buns, spread with a quick mayonnaise scented with drops of truffle oil, enclose juicy patties topped with melted aged provolone. Sautéed mushrooms and red onion rings round out the garnishes. One bite and my husband was in “burger heaven.”
You can prepare the mayo and shape the patties a day ahead, while the onion rings and mushrooms can be sautéed a couple of hours in advance. At serving time you’ll need to grill the burgers and assemble them. As sides, add French fries and multi-hued cherry tomatoes or a salad of mixed seasonal greens tossed in a cider mustard dressing. One bite of these burgers and you might find yourself in a state of celestial bliss too!
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Fall Cheeseburgers with Mushrooms, Red Onions, and Truffled Mayo
Truffled Mayo (Recipe follows.)
1 1/3 pounds ground beef, pound ground beef, preferably 80% or 85 % lean
Kosher salt
Olive oil
8 oz baby bella or brown mushrooms, sliced through stems
1 medium red onion, peeled and cut crosswise into 1/2-inch thick rings
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
Freshly ground black pepper
4- to 5-oz or larger piece aged provolone, Italian Fontina, or other good melting cheese, thinly sliced
4 brioche or other good quality hamburger buns
1.Prepare the Truflled Mayo and set aside. (If not using immediately, cover and refrigerate.)
2.Shape the ground beef into 4 equal patties about 4 inches in diameter and 1/2- inch thick. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until needed. (Burgers can be prepared a day ahead; bring to room temperature 30 minutes before cooking.)
3.Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large, heavy skillet over medium heat. When hot, add the sliced mushrooms, and cook, stirring until lightly browned, about 5 to 6 minutes. Add more oil if needed. When done, season with 1/4 teaspoon salt and remove to a plate.
4.To the same skillet (still set on medium heat) add 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon olive oil. When hot, add onion rings, and sauté, stirring, until softened, about 4 to 5 minutes. Then stir in 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar and season onions with 1/4 teaspoon salt. Remove to a plate. (Both onions and mushrooms can be prepared 2 hours ahead. Cover loosely with foil and reheat before cooking burgers.)
5.Prepare grill for a hot fire (high temperature). Combine 1 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper and season burgers on both sides with this mixture. Brush cut sides of buns lightly with olive oil, and place on grill for 30 seconds or more, just to grill slightly. Remove buns.
6.Grill burgers 3 minutes and then turn. Top each burger with enough cheese slices to cover. (You may have some cheese left over.) Continue grilling until meat is just pink in the center, about 2 minutes or longer or until internal temperature in center of patties is 145 degrees. For well done, cook to 160 degrees F. Watch carefully as cooking time can vary depending on the intensity of the heat and the type of grill used. (You can also use a stove top grill pan to cook the burgers.)
7.Remove burgers from the grill. Spread cut sides of buns with Truffled Mayo. Spoon mushrooms on bottoms of buns, top with burgers, and then with onion rings Cover with tops of buns. Serve immediately. Serves 4.
Truffled Mayo
1/4 cup good quality prepared mayonnaise such as Hellman’s
1 1/2 teaspoons white truffle oil (See cooking tip.)
1. In a medium bowl whisk together the mayonnaise and truffle oil until blended. Taste and for a stronger truffle accent, add 1/8 teaspoon additional truffle oil. (Mayo can be prepared 1 day ahead; keep covered and refrigerated.) Makes 1/4 cup
Cooking tip: White truffle oil is available in specialty food stores and online. Typically it is sold in small amounts since a little of this umami-rich oil goes a long way. However, if you can’t find it, try adding 1 1/2 teaspoons reduced sodium soy sauce instead. The soy sauce pairs well with the mushroom and onion garnishes.
Copyright Betty Rosbottom 2022
