Kobe Bleu Cheese Mini Burgers With Cipollini Onions In Balsamic Reduction Recipes

Steps:

• To prepare the balsamic syrup, in a small saucepan, stir together the brown sugar, balsamic vinegar, red pepper flakes, and thyme. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and simmer until the mixture has reduced by one-third and is syrupy enough to coat the back of the spoon, about 20 minutes.
• Let cool to room temperature and then strain. Store the syrup in a covered jar at room temperature for up to 1 month.
• Bring a medium saucepan of water to a simmer. Place the onions in a medium, heat-proof bowl and cover them with the simmering water. Let sit for 10 minutes and then slip off their skins, using a paring knife to loosen the ends if necessary.
• In a deep, medium saute pan, melt 4 tablespoons of the butter over medium heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring often, until they are golden brown on both sides, 5 to 10 minutes. Add the vinegar and scrape up the browned glaze from the bottom of the pan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and add the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pan tightly, and simmer until the onions are tender when pierced with the tip of a knife, 20 to 30 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and let them sit, still covered.
• Generously brush both sides of the bread with oil. Toast the slices in a large skillet over medium heat until they are crispy and golden on both sides, 4 to 5 minutes per side. Divide them among 6 serving plates.
• In a large bowl, toss the arugula with enough of the warm onion cooking liquid to make the leaves glossy. Divide the arugula among the pieces of toast. Top each with 3 onions and drizzle with about 1 tablespoon of the balsamic syrup.

Steps:

• For Paul's burger sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together all of the sauce ingredients.
• For the burgers: Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat until almost smoking. Add about 1 tablespoon of oil and 1 tablespoon of the butter to the skillet. When the butter has melted, working in batches, open the buns and toast them in the skillet until they are golden brown.
• Wipe out the skillet and reheat it over medium-high heat. Season the burger patties with salt and pepper. Working in batches and using more of the oil and butter, place some of the burger patties in the skillet (do not crowd the pan). Cook until the burgers are well seared (about 3 minutes) and flip. Place a slice of cheese on each burger and continue to cook the burgers for 2 minutes longer. Cover the skillet to melt the cheese and steam the burgers. Continue until all the burgers are cooked, adding more oil and butter to the skillet between batches as necessary.
• Spread each side of the buns with about 2 teaspoons of Paul's burger sauce. Season the tomato slices with salt and pepper and place the tomatoes on the bottoms of the buns. Place the cooked burger patties on top of the tomatoes and then top the burgers with shredded lettuce. Secure the tops of the buns on the burgers with frilled toothpicks or small bamboo skewers.