Big Bistro Burgers With Caramelized Shallots On Grilled Bread With Beet And Goat Cheese Salad Food

BISTRO BURGERS

Steps:

• Preheat a grill to medium high. Cook the bacon in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, turning, until crisp. Drain the bacon on paper towels, reserving 2 tablespoons bacon drippings.
• Form the beef into four 6-ounce patties, about 3/4 inch thick; press the center of each patty with your thumb to make a 1/2-inch-deep indentation. Season the patties on both sides with salt and pepper. Lightly brush the grill grates with vegetable oil, then grill the patties, indentation-side up, until marked on the bottom, about 5 minutes. Flip and cook until marked and slightly firm, about 3 more minutes for medium doneness. Remove the patties to a plate and let rest 5 minutes. Grill the buns, cut-side down, until lightly toasted, about 1 minute.
• Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in the same skillet over medium-high heat. Add the eggs and fry until the yolks are set but still runny, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
• Whisk the mustard, the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, the reserved 2 tablespoons bacon drippings and the shallot in a medium bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Add the frisee and toss; season with salt and pepper.
• Spread the bun bottoms with mustard. Top with the burger patties, bacon, frisee salad and fried eggs. Cover with the bun tops.

POTATO, CARAMELIZED ONION, AND GOAT CHEESE GRATIN

Steps:

• In a heavy 5- to 6-quart kettle heat oil over moderate heat until hot but not smoking and cook onions with thyme and salt and pepper to taste, stirring occasionally, until golden, about 15 minutes.
• Reduce heat to moderately low and cook, stirring frequently to keep from scorching, until golden brown.
• Remove kettle from heat.
• While onions are cooking, bring a large saucepan of salted water to a boil for potatoes.
• Peel potatoes and cut crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick slices.
• Add potatoes to boiling water and cook 5 minutes from time water returns to a boil.
• Drain potatoes well in a colander.
• Preheat oven to 425°F and lightly oil a 2- to 2 1/2-quart gratin dish or other shallow baking dish.
• Arrange half of potatoes, overlapping slightly, in dish and season generously with salt and pepper.
• Cover potatoes with onions, spreading evenly, and top with goat cheese.
• Arrange remaining potatoes, overlapping slightly, over cheese and season generously with salt and pepper.
• Dot gratin with butter.
• Gratin may be prepared up to this point 2 hours ahead and kept at room temperature, covered.
• Pour milk evenly over potatoes and bake 35 minutes, or until potatoes are tender and top is golden.
• Gratin may be made 1 day ahead and chilled, covered.
• Reheat gratin before serving.

BEET SALAD WITH GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Place beets into a saucepan, and fill with enough water to cover. Bring to a boil, then cook for 20 to 30 minutes, until tender. Drain and cool, then cut in to cubes.
• While the beets are cooking, place the walnuts in a skillet over medium-low heat. Heat until warm and starting to toast, then stir in the maple syrup. Cook and stir until evenly coated, then remove from the heat and set aside to cool.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the orange juice concentrate, balsamic vinegar and olive oil to make the dressing.
• Place a large helping of baby greens onto each of four salad plates, divide candied walnuts equally and sprinkle over the greens. Place equal amounts of beets over the greens, and top with dabs of goat cheese. Drizzle each plate with some of the dressing.

ROASTED BEET AND GOAT CHEESE SALAD

Steps:

• Roast beets: Wash beets and place in tin foil. Bake in 400 oven for 45 - 1 hour (depending on size). Test beets with a fork to see if cooked inside. Remove and let cool slightly. Peel and set aside. (can be done in advance).
• Vinaigrette: Combine shallots, balsamic vinegar, olive oil and grainy mustard. Salt and pepper to taste. (can be done in advance).
• In a bowl, add just enough dressing to coat lettuce leaves. Divide salad on plates, top with red onion and sprinkle with goat cheese.

BIG BISTRO BURGERS WITH CARAMELIZED SHALLOTS

Steps:

• Preheat a grill pan or grill to high.
• Preheat a small skillet over medium-high heat wth 2 tablespoons of EVOO. Add the shallots, season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring frequently, for 5 to 6 minutes, or until lightly brown.
• Add 2 tablespoons of the sherry vinegar and continue to cook for 1 minute, then remove from the heat and reserve.
• While the shallots are getting brown, in a large bowl, combine the beef, thyme, Worcestershire, grill seasoning, and Dijon mustard.
• Divide the meat into 4 portions. Form large patties about 1 1/4 inches.
• Coat the beef patties with a good drizzle of EVOO. Grill for 5 to 6 minutes per side for medium rare, 7 to 8 minutes per side for medium well to well.
• Drizzle of brush EVOO onto both sides of the bread slices, season with salt and pepper, and add to the grill.
• Cook until well marked on both sides, remove from the grill, and wrap in foil to keep warm.
• In a bowl, combine the beets and greens and drizzle with remaining 3 tablespoons of EVOO, and a little salt and pepper. Toss to coat; add the crumbled goat cheese and toss to distribute.
• To serve, divide the grilled bread among 4 serving plates. Top bread with beet and goat cheese salad, letting it overflow onto the plates.
• Transfer the burgers to the top of the salad and then pile each burger with some of the caramelized shallots.

BISTRO BURGERS

Steps:

• MAKE SAUCE: Whisk sauce ingredients together in a small bowl. Set aside, allowing flavors to meld.
• MAKE VIDALIA: In a sauté pan over medium-low heat, heat butter and oil. Add sliced onion, sprinkle with brown sugar and simmer for approximately 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally until caramelized. Set aside, keeping them warm.
• MAKE BURGERS: Meanwhile, preheat grill or a cast iron skillet to high. Divide the ground sirloin into 4 burgers. Season on both sides with salt and pepper, to taste. Grill or cook in the skillet for 3-4 minutes on each side for medium-rare doneness. During last minutes of cooking add caramelized onion to each burger, then 2 slices of cheese. Cover grill or pan for approximately 1 minute to melt cheese.
• ASSEMBLY: Spread Bistro sauce on bottom of the toasted buns. Place burgers on buns. Top with suggested toppings.

BRUSSELS SPROUTS GRATIN WITH CARAMELIZED SHALLOTS WS

Steps:

• INA'S CARAMELIZED SHALLOTS (~1 CUP):.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• In a 12-inch ovenproof skillet, melt the butter over medium heat.
• Add the shallots and sugar, tossing to coat.
• Cook over medium heat for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until the shallots start to brown.
• Add the vinegar, salt and pepper. Toss well.
• Place the skillet in the preheated oven and roast for 15-30 minutes, depending on the size of the shallots, until they are tender. (It pays to make the shallots the same size so they all finish at the same time.).
• If making ahead, refrigerate shallots up to 2 days before making the rest of the recipe. Allow to come to room temperature before adding to the Brussels sprouts.
• TOPPING:.
• In a bowl, stir together the bread crumbs, butter, lemon zest, salt, pepper and parsley.
• Set aside until Step 19.
• GRATIN:.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Grease a 12-inch ovenproof nonstick fry pan with the butter. Bring caramelized shallots to room temperature.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Add the Brussels sprouts and cook until tender, 5-7 minutes. Drain, then transfer to a bowl of ice water. Drain and pat dry with paper towels.
• In a bowl, stir together the flour, Gruyere, Parmigiano-Reggiano, lemon zest, 2 teaspoons Kosher salt, and the pepper.
• Into the flour-cheese bowl, stir in the cream, then the Brussels sprouts and caramelized shallots.
• Transfer the mixture to the prepared fry pan and smooth the top.
• Sprinkle the bread crumb topping mixture evenly on top.
• Bake until the bread crumbs are golden brown, about 35 minutes.
• Let the gratin rest for 15 minutes before serving.

BIG BISTRO BURGERS WITH CARAMELIZED SHALLOTS ON GRILLED BREAD WITH BEET AND GOAT CHEESE SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat a grill pan or outdoor grill to high.
• Preheat a small skillet over medium-high heat with 2 tablespoons of EVOO. Add the shallots, season with salt and pepper, and cook, stirring frequently, for 5 to 6 minutes, or until lightly brown. Add 2 tablespoons of the sherry vinegar and continue to cook for 1 minute, then remove from the heat and reserve.
• While the shallots are getting brown, in a large bowl, combine the beef, thyme, Worcestershire, grill seasoning, and Dijon mustard. Divide the meat into 4 portions. Form large patties about 1 1/4 inches thick. Coat the beef patties with a good drizzle of EVOO. Grill for 5 to 6 minutes per side for medium rare, 7 to 8 minutes per side for medium well to well.
• Drizzle or brush EVOO onto both sides of the bread slices, season with salt and pepper, and add to the grill. Cook until well marked on both sides, remove from the grill, and wrap in foil to keep warm.
• In a bowl, combine the beets and greens and drizzle with the remaining 2 tablespoons of sherry vinegar, the remaining 3 tablespoons of EVOO, and a little salt and pepper. Toss to coat; add the crumbled goat cheese and toss to distribute.
• To serve, divide the grilled bread among 4 serving plates. Top the bread with the beet and goat cheese salad, letting it overflow onto the plates. Transfer the burgers to top the salad and then pile each burger with some of the caramelized shallots. Attack your big bistro burger with a fork and knife, please. This is a bistro!
• Tidbit
• For the large slices of country-style bread, cut a rectangular loaf lengthwise or a round loaf from the center.