Roasted Garlic Burger

Ingredients

• 2 pounds ground chuck
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup Roasted Garlic Paste, recipe follows
• 4 small loaves levain bread
• Sliced tomatoes, for serving
• Sliced dill pickles, for serving
• Blue cheese, for serving

Directions

Dijon Garlic Sauce, recipe follows

Sauteed Portobello Mushroom Caps, recipe follows

Preheat a grill, or preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

In a bowl, mix together the meat, salt and pepper, and Roasted Garlic Paste.

Using your hands, form 4 individual burgers. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to grill.

Cook the burgers over a hot fire or roast in the oven until desired internal temperature is reached, about 160 degrees for medium.

Split each loaf of levain bread and pull out some of the soft center to make a hole for the burger. Place the bread face down on the grill to toast.

Place the burger in the bread and serve with garnishes.

• 1/2 cup peeled garlic cloves
• 1 cup extra-virgin olive oil

Combine the garlic and oil. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to medium. Simmer until garlic is brown and soft. Smash garlic with the back of a spoon; keep some chunks.

• 1/2 cup Dijon mustard
• 1/2 cup Roasted Garlic Paste
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 6 dill pickles, diced small
• 2 tablespoons dill pickle juice, from the jar

Mix all ingredients together. Cover and refrigerate.

• 6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 1/2 pounds whole portobello mushroom caps, cut into 1/2-inch dice
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• Sea salt, preferably gray salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup sliced shallots or red onion
• 2 tablespoons sliced garlic
• 1 1/2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme leaves
• 1 cup dry red wine
• 1/2 cups flat-leaf parsley, chopped

Heat a large skillet over high heat. Add the olive oil. When the oil is hot, arrange the mushrooms in a single layer. Don't stir! Let them sizzle until they have caramelized on the bottom, about 2 minutes. If you toss them too soon, they will release their liquid and begin to steam. When the bottoms are caramelized, toss the mushrooms and continue to cook over high heat for about 5 minutes.

Add the butter. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms are beautifully browned, about 2 to 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and add the shallots and garlic. Saute until the garlic is lightly browned, about 2 minutes. Add the thyme. Add the wine, reduce the heat slightly, and simmer until the mushrooms are glazed with the sauce. Add the parsley, transfer to a warmed bowl, and serve immediately.