Shelly's Recipe

ANDOUILLE AND BLUE CHEESE BEEF BURGERS WITH SPICY MAYO AND CARAMELIZED ONIONS

Category: Burgers

Spicy mayonnaise
3/4 cup mayonnaise
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 tsp Cajun or Creole seasoning blend
1/4 tsp hot pepper sauce

Burgers
1/2 lb andouille sausage, cut into scant 1/4 inch cubes
3/4 cup pecans, toasted, chopped
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
1 1/2 lbs ground beef chuck or ground beef (20 percent fat)

Caramelized onions
1 1/2 lbs onions, thinly sliced
2 tbsp olive oil plus more for brushing grill rack
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tbsp golden brown sugar

6 large hamburger buns, split
8 oz crumbled blue cheese

For mayonnaise: Mix all ingredients in small bowl. Cover and chill. Note: Can be made 2 days ahead. Keep chilled.

For burgers: Toss first 4 ingredients in large bowl. Add beef; blend gently. Shape mixture into six 1/2-inch-thick patties. Transfer patties to small baking sheet. Note: Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.

For caramelized onions: Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat). Toss onions and next 3 ingredients in large skillet. Place skillet on grill; cook until onions are golden, stirring often, about 25 minutes. Remove from grill; season with salt and pepper. Note: Can cook on stovetop in a heavy lightly-oiled saute pan over medium-low heat for 25-30 minutes, or until caramelized. Season as directed above.

Brush grill rack with olive oil. Grill buns, cut side down, until golden, about 2 minutes. Transfer buns to work surface. Grill burgers until brown on bottom, about 3 minutes. Turn over; sprinkle with cheese. Grill until burgers are cooked to desired doneness, about 3 minutes for medium. Place some onions, then burger, on each bun bottom. Top each with okra and watercress (optional). Spread mayonnaise on cut side of bun tops; place on burgers. Serve with remaining mayonnaise.