Surprise Burgers

Total Time: 25 mins Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 10 mins

Ingredients

• 1/2 lb beef short rib, braised and shredded (see recipe description)
• 3 tablespoons fresh chives, finely chopped
• 1 1/2 lbs ground beef
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• salt & freshly ground black pepper
• 4 ciabatta buns (or any hamburger bun)
• 4 slices about 6 ounces gruyere cheese (optional)
• 1/2 cup short rib braising liquid, hot (see recipe description)
• 4 lettuce leaves (butter or bibb lettuce)
• 1 beefsteak tomato, thick sliced
• 1 small red onion, slicesd

Recipe

• 1 toss the shredded short rib meat with chives and just enough of the braising liquid to moisten.
• 2 divide the ground beef and form 8 patties. arrange 2 tablespoons of short rib meat on each of 4 patties. top with remaining four patties and pinch edges to enclose. patties should be about 1 inch thick. let rest in refrigerator for an hour or overnight. remove patties 30 minutes before cooking to get to room temperature.
• 3 heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. season burgers generously with salt and pepper. cook burgers about 7 to 10 minutes for medium rare, turning once or twice. baste burgers with accumulated fat. drape cheese over burgers during last minute of cooking, if using.
• 4 meanwhile toast buns; brush with olive oil. moisten bottom buns with hot braising liquid. top with burger, onion, tomato, lettuce and top bun to serve. any additional braising liquid could be used as a dipping sauce for fries.