May 26 | Noon News | WGNTV.com | WGN TV

May 26

Gourmet Made Simple

Gena Knox

To purchase a copy of the book:
Gourmet Made Simple

Planked Blue Cheese Burger
Yields 4 servings

Ingredients:
1 1/2 pounds ground beef
3/4 cup blue cheese crumbles
1/2 jalapeno, minced (or more to taste)
Salt and pepper
1 15-inch cedar grilling plank, soaked
4 hamburger buns
Lettuce and tomato for garnish

Directions:
Preheat grill to high. Combine ground beef with blue cheese and jalapeno; season with salt and pepper. Form 4 patties, about 1 inch thick. Sear burgers 1 to 2 minutes per side; remove from grill. Place burgers on a plate and cover with aluminum foil. Lower heat to medium-low and place plank on grill. Close lid and heat plank 3 minutes. Turn the plank over and place seared burgers on heated side; close the grill's lid and cook for 10 minutes (for medium-well). Remove plank and burgers from grill; serve with buns and additional toppings.

NOTE To cook burgers without a plank, preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat; cook for 4 minutes per side for medium-rare, or until desired doneness.

Alder-Planked Turkey Burgers With Chipotle Ketchup
Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients:
1 1/2 pounds ground turkey
1/2 cup finely chopped green bell pepper
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
2 ounces smoked Gouda, cut into 1/4-inch-square cubes
1 15-inch alder grilling plank, soaked
4 whole-wheat hamburger buns
sautéed onions

Chipotle Ketchup
1 cup ketchup
1 Tablespoon lime juice
2 teaspoons chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

Directions:
Combine ingredients for ketchup in a small bowl; refrigerate until needed. Makes 1 cup. Place ground turkey in a large bowl; add bell pepper, chili powder, cumin, red pepper, and salt. Gently fold spices into meat and add cheese. Divide into 4 equal-size patties, about 1 inch thick. (If too much cheese is visible, use your fingers to push it inside the patties so the cheese will melt inside the burger and not on the grill.) Preheat grill to high heat. Oil grill grates and sear burgers 3 minutes per side, until grill marks form. Remove burgers from grill; put on a plate and lightly cover with foil. Reduce grill temperature to medium-low and place soaked plank on grill. Heat 3 minutes, then turn plank over and put burgers on the heated side. Cook 18 to 20 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 165°. Remove plank and burgers from grill. Place burgers on bun; top with chipotle ketchup and caramelized onions, if desired.

NOTE To cook the burgers without a plank, preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat; cook for 6 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°.