Burgers with Blue Cheese & Caramelised Onions

Take the classic hamburger to the next level with the addition of blue cheese and onions caramelised in dry red wine. The grilling time is only about 10 minutes on your gas barbecue, so you can whip up these delicious burgers in no time.

Tip: The dry red wine isn’t just for the onions – choose one that you enjoy drinking and serve it with the burgers!

Ingredients

• • 2 TBS olive oil or butter

• • 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced

• • 120 ml (1/2 C) dry red wine (such as Merlot or Pinot Noir)

• • 1/4 tsp. dried thyme

• • .7 kg (1 1/2 lbs.) 80% lean ground chuck

• • 1 tsp. Kosher salt

• • 3/4 tsp. fresh ground pepper

• • 1/2 tsp. smoked paprika

• • 113 g (4 oz.) sliced blue cheese

• • 4 hamburger buns or brioche rolls

• • Mixed greens or lettuce

Instructions

1. 1. Heat up your gas BBQ for direct cooking over medium-high heat (200° – 260° C).
   2. To prepare the burger patties, mix the ground chuck with 1/2 tsp. salt, and 1/2 tsp. pepper. Shape the meat into four .2 mm (3/4 inch) thick patties.
      Tip: make a small dimple with your fingers in the centre of each burger patty so they will be flat on top after grilling. Pop the burgers into the fridge until it’s time to grill.
   3. Caramelise the red onions in a large skillet on your gas BBQs’s side burner or on the stovetop over medium-high heat. Begin by warming the oil or melting the butter, then add the sliced red onions. Stirring occasionally, cook the onions until they are lightly browned – about 3 minutes.
   4. Reduce the heat to medium-low and continue cooking with occasional stirring for about 5 more minutes.
   5. Once the onions are thoroughly softened, mix in 120 ml red wine, 1/2 tsp. salt, 1/4 tsp. pepper, and 1/4 tsp. dried thyme. Bring the mixture to a simmer and then reduce the heat, allowing it to simmer for about 10 additional minutes. Stir frequently to avoid scorching. Once the liquid has reduced to a glaze, remove the pan from the heat and set it aside covered.
   6. BBQ the hamburgers over direct medium-high heat with the grill lid closed. Grill for about 4 1/2 to 5 1/2 minutes per side until the meat reaches a temperature of 71° C with an instant read thermometer. Top the burgers with the blue cheese during the last minute.
   7. The sliced hamburger buns can be toasted right on the grill while the burgers are finishing up.
   8. Top the burgers with the caramelized onions and greens and enjoy!