What is Black n’ Blue and red all over? 

If childhood memory serves me correctly…..it is newspaper print.  I know, I know….where am I coming up with this stuff?  That is what we get when I stay up waaaaaaay past my bedtime.

What it does remind me of is the wonderful, juicy hamburger’s you can get at all the local bar and grills. With the right amount of spice and pungent blue cheese, each bite puts your taste buds into a tail spin.

Considering I am boycotting Buffalo Wild Wings, I thought it was high time I come up with my own version.  Wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be!  If you are a blue cheese lover you will be adding this to your weekend menu!  You get double the dose, with blue cheese tucked between two patties, AND an amazing blue cheese schmeer (very fancy word for dressing or spread).  I thought the carmelized onions and mushrooms would complement the burger and I was right!  All of these wonderful flavors blending together to make my favorite burger!

{Black n’ Blue Burger with Blue Cheese Schmeer}

 Ingredients:
1 lb ground chuck
1 lb ground sirloin
3 oz. blue cheese, crumbled
1 red onion, sliced
8 oz. mushrooms, choose the whitest mushrooms you can find
6 sesame seed rolls, split
1 tomato, sliced (optional)
Lettuce Leaves (optional)

Blackened Spice Mix:
2 tsp dried oregano
2 tsp dried thyme
1 1/2 Tbsp paprika
1 tsp cayenne powder
1 tsp black pepper
1 Tbsp salt
1 1/2 Tbsp garlic powder
1 Tbsp onion powder

Blue Cheese Dressing:
3 oz. blue cheese, crumbled
1/4 cup mayonnaise, I prefer Hellmann’s
1/4 cup sour cream
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 tsp Tex-Mex Chipotle Seasoning, I prefer Olde Thompson

Directions:

*Mix together the blackened spice mix in a small bowl; set aside.

*Combine all dressing ingredients in a small container; mix thoroughly.   Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

*In large bowl, mix together ground chuck and sirloin and half of the blackened spice mix.  Separate beef mixture into 1/3 pound pieces—-you will have 6.  Divide each piece in half and form into a thin patty, place on a wax paper covered plate.  Use the 3 oz. blue cheese and place equally on 6 of the hamburger patties.  Cover these patties with the remaining 6 patties, and pinch the edges to create a tight seal.

* Sprinkle patties with remaining blackened spice mix, pressing into the beef, coating top and bottom.  Flatten the patties when finished and place back onto waxed paper; refrigerate for 30 minutes.

* Grill burgers for 15-20 minutes, or until burgers are cooked through and temperature reads 160F.  To minimize cheese oozing out, do not press on patties while grilling. Allow patties to rest for 10-15 minutes after cooking.

* While you are grilling burgers, sauté the sliced onions on medium heat, in 1 Tbsp of olive oil.  Cook the onions until they start to carmelize, add in sliced mushrooms and cook for 3-5 minutes longer; stirring often.

* Serve on sesame rolls with lettuce, tomato, onion/mushroom’s, and a little blue cheese dressing.

Other great summer recipes include:
Just a Matter of Thyme Grilled Chicken
Broccoli Salad
Strawberry Mango Salad

Source:  Adapted heavily (I should just say inspired) from Allrecipes

You can find me over here also:
A Mommy’s Blog Design
My Simple Home Life

Related posts:

Macaroni & Cheese! White and Black Bean Salad! Balsamic Pork Marinade