America's Greatest Gourmet Burgers

• FOR THE BOIS BOUDRAN SAUCE
• sherry wine vinegar↗1 tablespoon
• olive oil↗3 tablespoons
• Dijon mustard↗1 tablespoon
• Worcestershire sauce↗1 tablespoon
• ketchup (we used Heinz)↗1⁄2 cup
• finely chopped fresh chives2 teaspoons
• finely chopped fresh tarragon2 teaspoons
• FOR THE BURGERS
• olive oil↗2 tablespoons
• shallots, finely diced↗2 -3
• garlic cloves, crushed↗2
• salt & freshly ground black pepper
• crushed red pepper flakes (optional)↗
• freshly ground beef chuck (preferably prime grade)↗1 1⁄4 lbs
• tablespoons finely chopped Italian parsley2
• teaspoons Dijon mustard↗2
• teaspoon Worcestershire sauce↗1
• teaspoon salt↗1⁄2
• teaspoon fresh ground black pepper↗1⁄4
• large egg, beaten to blend↗1
• slices bacon↗8
• slices gruyere cheese↗4
• slices frozen foie gras (we didn't use)↗4
• small black truffle (didn't use, way too pricey)1
• brioche hamburger buns, split in half↗4

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   Place the vinegar in a large bowl. Gradually add the oil, whisking constantly, until blended.

2. 2

   Whisk in the mustard and Worcestershire sauce. Whisk in the ketchup, chives and tarragon. Set aside.

3. 3

   Heat 1 tablespoon oil in heavy nonstick small.

4. 4

   sauté pan over medium heat. Add shallots.

5. 5

   Sprinkle with salt and pepper and sauté for 5 minutes or until translucent.Add garlic and cook for 1 minute longer. Remove from heat and allow to cool.

6. 6

   Gently mix the ground beef, parsley, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, crushed red pepper flakes(if using), shallots and garlic in large bowl until well blended. Mix in egg. (Don't overwork it - it will become too dense!).

7. 7

   Divide the beef mixture into 4 equal mounds and shape each into a 4" diameter patty. Set the patties aside.

8. 8

   Lay the bacon slices in a heavy nonstick large frying pan and cook over medium heat about 8-10 minutes or until crisp and golden. (Can also use the microwave method).

9. 9

   Remove from heat and set aside; allow to rest for 1 minute. Transfer to paper towels and break the bacon slices in half.

10. 10

    Lightly toast the brioche buns cut side up for 1-2 minutes or until lightly toasted.

11. 11

    Meanwhile, heat a heavy large nonstick griddle pan or heavy large sauté pan over medium heat.

12. 12

    Drizzle the pan with 1 tablespoon olive oil and cook the patties 2-3 minutes or until brown on the bottom.

13. 13

    Turn the patties over. Top the patties with Gruyère cheese and cook about 3 minutes longer or until the patties are cooked to medium-rare doneness.

14. 14

    Set the patties on the bun bottoms. Place the crispy bacon on top of the patties.

15. 15

    Heat a heavy large nonstick sauté pan over high heat until it begins to smoke.

16. 16

    Add the foie gras (if using) and cook for 25 seconds on each side until the foie gras is cooked on the outside but still soft in the center (you will need the fan on full force for foie gras it will release a lot of fat that will begin to smoke - next to health reasons - another reason we did not cook - all the smoke alarms!).

17. 17

    Place the foie gras on top of the bacon on the patties.

18. 18

    Shave the truffle(if using, we didn't, price.

19. 19

    too exorbitant, and we dislike them)very thinly over the foie gras (you may not need the entire truffle - Curtis used summer truffles, said they are cheaper).

20. 20

    Serve a little drizzle of the Boudran sauce on top of burgers and then cover with the bun tops.

21. 21

    We served it with Boudran sauce, sautéed mushrooms, oven fries, mixed greens salad and a dessert of fresh fruit.

22. 22

    We made a fancy burger into a classy meal!