Camembert Burgers
Eva Kolenko
Earthy and rich, these fabulous burgers were created by Susan Herrmann Loomis, an American who runs the On Rue Tatin cooking school in Normandy. The recipe is adapted from one in her new book, French Grill: 125 Refined & Rustic Recipes, a collection of recipes and tips perfect for us Western cooks, too.
How to Make It
1
Using your hands, gently mix beef with salt, pepper, allspice, and parsley. Form meat into 4 patties, slightly concave in center and slightly wider than bun (they will shrink up). Chill patties.
2
Cut Camembert into 1⁄4-in. slices, then halve slices crosswise.
3
Meanwhile, heat a grill to high (500° to 550°). Set a medium cast-iron skillet on grill and add 1 tbsp. butter and 1/2 tbsp. oil; when butter melts, add onions. Stir, season lightly with salt, cover, and cook until onions soften and turn golden, 5 to 8 minutes, stirring every couple of minutes. Scoop onions into a bowl.
4
Add another 1 tbsp. butter and 1/2 tbsp. oil to skillet, then add apples. Cook, covered, until golden, about 3 minutes. Stir and cook until tender throughout, about 8 minutes more. Remove pan from heat, season lightly with salt, and set aside.
5
Reduce heat to medium-high (400° to 450°). Grill burgers until browned, about 4 minutes. Turn and cook 2 minutes more, then top each with 2 or 3 slices cheese, cover grill, and let melt 1-2 minutes. Transfer to a baking sheet.
6
Toast buns, cut side down, about 2 minutes. Transfer to another baking sheet.
7
Assemble burgers: Slather bottom sides of buns with mayonnaise if you like. Divide apples among bottom halves of buns. Top with burgers, cheese side up, then onions. Sprinkle with parsley if you like, then add bun tops.
Ingredients
1 lb 2 oz. regular ground beef (70 to 75% lean)
1 tsp fine sea salt
½ tsp freshly ground pepper
¼ tsp ground allspice
¼ cup firmly packed flat-leaf parsley leaves, minced
½ chilled wheel ripe Camembert cheese (4 oz.), with rind
2 tbsp unsalted butter
1 tbsp olive oil
1 small onion, thinly sliced
Fine sea salt
2 medium-size tart-sweet apples, such as Pink Lady, cored, peeled, and cut into 1⁄3-in. wedges
To Finish
8 hamburger buns, split
Mayonnaise (optional)
2 tbsp finely chopped flat-leaf parsley
Directions
1
Using your hands, gently mix beef with salt, pepper, allspice, and parsley. Form meat into 4 patties, slightly concave in center and slightly wider than bun (they will shrink up). Chill patties.
2
Cut Camembert into 1⁄4-in. slices, then halve slices crosswise.
3
Meanwhile, heat a grill to high (500° to 550°). Set a medium cast-iron skillet on grill and add 1 tbsp. butter and 1/2 tbsp. oil; when butter melts, add onions. Stir, season lightly with salt, cover, and cook until onions soften and turn golden, 5 to 8 minutes, stirring every couple of minutes. Scoop onions into a bowl.
4
Add another 1 tbsp. butter and 1/2 tbsp. oil to skillet, then add apples. Cook, covered, until golden, about 3 minutes. Stir and cook until tender throughout, about 8 minutes more. Remove pan from heat, season lightly with salt, and set aside.
5
Reduce heat to medium-high (400° to 450°). Grill burgers until browned, about 4 minutes. Turn and cook 2 minutes more, then top each with 2 or 3 slices cheese, cover grill, and let melt 1-2 minutes. Transfer to a baking sheet.
6
Toast buns, cut side down, about 2 minutes. Transfer to another baking sheet.
7
Assemble burgers: Slather bottom sides of buns with mayonnaise if you like. Divide apples among bottom halves of buns. Top with burgers, cheese side up, then onions. Sprinkle with parsley if you like, then add bun tops.
