Burger Friday – Bison Burger with Carmelized Onion, Gruyere, and Boursin Cheese & Avocado Spread

PRE-STORY:

Come Summer, certain traditions pop-up.  Ribs on Sunday, BLT’s once a week, and Burgers on Friday.    As I started to think about tonight's creation, I thought I'd post last week's delicacy.

DISH: Bison Burger

SOURCE/ADAPTED FROM: The voices in my head that say this will taste good together

ACTIVE TIME:  ~20 minutes                     TOTAL TIME:  ~30 Minutes

• 1 lb Ground Bison
• ¼ Cup Gruyere cheese, shredded
• EVOO
• Salt
• Oregano
• ½ round of Boursin Cheese (used Shallot & Chive)
• ½ Avocado
• 1 sweet onion, sliced
• Lettuce (used Baby Romaine)
• Tomato, sliced
• 2 Kaiser Rolls, toasted (any bun will do)

In a large bowl, mix ground bison, splash of EVOO, salt, pepper, oregano, and shredded gruyere.  Use a large patty maker, and make two perfectly round ½ inch thick burgers.  Make an indention with your thumb in the middle of the burger (this prevents the burger from ballooning into a huge lump and cooks flat – thank you Food Network for the tip!).  Set burgers aside while heating the grill.

Caramelize the onions (my method that may not be the correct way to do it, but it seems to work):  Heat some EVOO in a large skillet over medium heat.  Add sliced onion and a sprinkling of salt.  Brown the onion for about 5 minutes.  Add a tiny bit of butter (or substitute).  Lower heat to low, and let onions simmer for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Add another sprinkling of salt and a sprinkling of sugar or brown sugar (just a sprinkling!).  Simmer for another 5 minutes.  Remove from heat, set aside.

While onions are caramelizing, grill burgers ~6 minutes a side, start with thumb indention up.

While burgers are grilling, smoosh together ½ round of Boursin cheese and avocado.  Set aside (or start snacking on it, but leave enough to spread on the buns).

Toast buns on top rack of the grill during last 5 minutes of burgers grilling.

Smear Cheese/Avocado mix on both sides of the buns, top with burger, onions, lettuce, and tomato.

SERVES / NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION: 

Serves 2 - These are HUGE burgers so we didn’t do sides and we were stuffed (may also be because of the snacking).  Also, technically, there should be plenty of leftover cheese/avocado mix, but between the snacking (with pita chips) and “tasting” to make sure it tasted right, I can neither confirm or deny that we ate it all.

RATING/DIFFICULTY: 

Fantabulous / Easy Peasy

SERVED WITH: 

Wine or Beer, I can’t remember.  It was a week ago!

FINAL NOTES:    

It’s a burger, there are so many variations, and this is just one week’s creation.  I wouldn’t have changed a thing!