ALL-AMERICAN HAMBURGERS WITH RED ONION COMPOTE

ALL-AMERICAN HAMBURGERS WITH RED ONION COMPOTE image

Yield 4 burgers

Number Of Ingredients 15

2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoon ground coriander
3 medium red onions, finely diced (3 cups)
2 cups dry red wine
1 cup sugar
2 bay leaves
1 teaspoon finely grated orange zest
3/4 teaspoon ground juniper berries
1 teaspoon chopped thyme
1 cup fresh orange juice
2 pounds ground chuck
Salt and freshly ground pepper
4 kaiser or brioche rolls, split and toasted
Gorgonzola cheese, sliced (optional)
Arugula leaves (optional)

Steps:

MAKE THE RED ONION COMPOTE: In a medium saucepan, heat the vegetable oil. Add the coriander and cook over moderate heat for 30 seconds. Add the red onions, wine, sugar, bay leaves, orange zest, juniper berries, thyme and orange juice and bring to a boil. Simmer over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens and is reduced to 2 cups, about 1 hour. Let the compote cool to room temperature. Discard the bay leaves and season with salt. MAKE THE BURGERS: Heat a large cast-iron skillet. Gently form the ground chuck into four 4-inch patties about 1 1/2 inches thick. Make a 1/2-inch indention in the center of each patty and season generously with salt and pepper. When the skillet is hot, add the patties and cook over moderately high heat until browned, 4 to 5 minutes per side for medium-rare. Top with slices of gorgonzola, if desired. Transfer them to a large plate and let rest for 5 minutes. Place the hamburgers on the toasted brioche buns, top with the compote, garnish with arugula and serve.