Let's Hear it for the Blue Cheese Burger!

Good Friday morning! No one can keep their spirits down on a Friday, can they? The weather here is beginning to be warm most days--not that it will stay that way--but I'll take every warm day that comes. And today, even though I've gone green in honor of St. Patrick's Day, I am decidedly in favor of an American classic hamburger for supper. This recipe comes from Ina Garten's Barefoot Contessa at Home. And because you may not be a big fan of blue cheese, I suggest that you replace it with your favorite, if necessary. Ina says: "While you can certainly make these as plain hamburgers--and they're delicious!--blue cheese just takes them to the next level. Allowing the hamburgers to 'rest' the way you do a grilled steak makes them particularly juicy." See what you think of this recipe.

Blue Cheese Burgers                                                                                                     

2 pounds ground chuck
1 pound ground sirloin
3 tablespoons Crosse & Blackwell steak sauce              
6 extra-large egg yolks
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
4 tablespoons cold unsalted butter (1/2 stick)
8 ounces blue cheese, such as Danish Blue
arugula & sliced tomatoes, for serving
8 to 10 hamburger buns

In a large bowl, carefully mix the meats, steak sauce, egg yolks, salt and pepper with the tines of a fork, but do not mash the mixture. Lightly form hamburger patties and press lightly into shape. Press a think slice of butter into the top of each hamburger, making sure the meat entirely encases the butter.

Prepare a charcoal or a stovetop grill and cook the hamburgers for 4 minutes on one side, turn, and cook for 3 minutes on the other side for medium-rare. Remove to a plate and cover with aluminum foil. Allow the hamburgers to rest for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, grill the buns, cut side down, for 1 minute, until toasted. Place a hamburger and a slice of blue cheese on each bun, plus arugula and tomato and serve hot.

Ina's note: "If you want delicious brioche hamburger buns, you can order them by mail from www.elizabar.com. Otherwise, Pepperidge Farm makes very good hamburger buns.

OR, you can make your own with a recipe from King Arthur Flour! I'm going to give this recipe because I think if you have time to make these buns, your family will be delighted. But even if you don't have time right now, save the thought of homemade buns for another time. Making bread of some kind becomes something the devoted baker yearns to do every week. So here goes!

Beautiful Burger Buns from King Arthur Flour
                                                                                                                     
3/4 to 1 cup lukewarm water
2 tablespoons butter
1 large egg
3 1/2 cups King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour
1/4 cup sugar
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
1 tablespoon instant yeast

Directions

1. Mix and knead all of the dough ingredients--by hand, mixer, or bread machine--to make a soft, smooth dough.
2. Cover the dough, and let it rise for 1 hour, or until it's doubled in bulk.
3. Gently deflate the dough, and divide it into 8 pieces. Shape each piece into a round 1" think (more or less); flatten to about 3" across. Place the buns on a lightly greased baking sheet, cover, and let rise for about an hour, until very puffy.
4. If desired, brush buns with melted butter. Or brush lightly with egg wash (1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water), and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
5. Bake the buns in a preheated 375 degree F oven for 12 to 15 minutes, till golden. Cool on a rack. 

King Arthur Flour's bakers give many good tips for helping you to create successful buns, but I'm only going to give you this one: "What's the easiest way to shape buns? Gently deflate the dough, and form it into a smooth 8" log. Slice the log as though you were slicing cinnamon buns. Gently pull each slice into a circle." For others, go to their web site or their Facebook page and google! 

Okay...must run for now. I hope you'll try the hamburgers for a delicious change from your regular ones. It never hurts to surprise the family with a special meal for dinner, especially on a Friday! Enjoy your weekend.

Blessings...Mimi