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Michael's '21' Burger

Source of Recipe


Unknown






List of Ingredients



• 2-1/2 lbs. fresh ground beef, equal parts top sirloin and top round (80% lean)
  
• 1/4 cup pure olive oil, plus additional to lightly coat grill
  
• Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
  
• 1 Tbsp dried thyme
  
• 4 slices Italian peasant bread (1-1/2 inches thick and 5 inches in diameter)
  
• 2 ripe beefsteak tomatoes, cut into 4 (1/2-inch-thick) slices
  
• 1 red Bermuda onion, cut into 4 (1/2-inch-thick) slices
  






Instructions



1. Handle the ground beef as briefly as possible; in other words, don't "knead" the meat, because over-handling changes its texture, moistness, and flavor. Using your bare hands, shape the meat firmly into 4 round, uniform patties, about 1/2-inch thick.
   
   
2. Brush both sides of the burger lightly with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Brush the grill lightly with olive oil and grill the burgers over a medium flame until done to your preference (about 5 to 6 minutes on each side for medium-rare, 7 to 8 minutes on each side for medium, and 9 to 10 minutes on each side for well-done).
   
   
3. Meanwhile, add the dried thyme to the 1/4 cup olive oil. Brush the bread, tomato, and onion slices with the thyme oil. Salt-and-pepper the tomato and onion slices. Place the bread, onion, and tomato on the grill, and grill lightly on both sides.
   
   
4. Place the grilled bread on a warm plate; top with the onion, tomato, and finished burger.
   
   Serves 4