Nga Nguyen

Hamburger with caramelized onion and foie gras

New Year dinner with friends…

Friend (excited): My New Year resolution is to do a half Iron Man!

Me: So, you are doing just Man? Pffffff….

Hamburger with caramelized onion and foie gras

(Adapted from Cantinho do Avillez and Use Real Butter)

For 6 burgers

For the hamburgers:
2 lbs ground beef
1 1/2 tsp fish sauce
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp ground pepper
6 slices of cheese (mozzarella, cheddar, swiss, etc.)
6 buns (lightly toasted)
Foie gras
Butter
Dijon mustard

For the caramelized onions:
2 small onions (sliced)
3 garlic cloves (minced)
1 bay leaf
2 tbs olive oil
1 tbs balsamic vinegar
Salt to taste

To make the meat:

  1. In a bowl, mix beef + fish sauce + 1/2 tsp salt + 1 tsp pepper.
  2. Shape 6 patties.
  3. Seal each individual patty into one zip lock bag, and submerge in a water bath.
  4. Use a sous vide to cook the meat. Meanwhile, make the caramelized onions (see recipe below).
    • Note: I put mine at 130F at 40 minutes. Other settings include:
      • Very rare to rare: 115°F – 123°F at 40 minutes to 2 1/2 hours (maximum)
      • Medium rare: 124°F – 129°F at 40 minutes to 2 1/2 hours (maximum)
      • Medium: 130°F – 137°F at 40 minutes to 4 hours
      • Medium well: 138°F – 144°F at 40 minutes to 4 hours
      • Well done: 145°F – 155°F at 40 minutes to 3 1/2 hours
  5. Remove the patties onto a paper towel.
  6. Let them rest for 10 minutes.
  7. Season the patties with salt and pepper on both side.
  8. In a skillet, heat a tablespoon of canola oil.
  9. Sear the patties for 1 minute.
  10. Flip, place a slice of cheese on top, and sear for another minute.

To make the caramelized onions:

  1. In a non-stick frying pan, heat 2 tbs olive oil.
  2. Add onions + garlic + a bay leaf.
  3. Leave to saute.
  4. When the onion is golden, add the balsamic vinegar.
  5. Allow the onion to caramelize a bit.
  6. Season with salt.
  7. Set aside

To assemble the hamburgers:

  1. Toast the buns.
  2. Spread the bottom half of the buns with butter and Dijon mustard.
  3. Place the hamburger beef and melted cheese on top.
  4. Add a slice of foie gras.
  5. Top with caramelized onions.
  6. Cover with the top half of the buns.
  7. Serve immediately.