There are so many burger recipes out there, but sometimes the humble burger needs some love too. Dress it up with Chef Ryan McCaskey’s elevated toppings. They turn a burger into an experience. McCaskey is the Chef-Owner of Chicago’s Acadia restaurant. The Two Michelin Star restaurant featured progressive global cuisine, but the elevated comfort food is just plain good to us.
Bacon Onion Jam
Yield: enough for approx. 6-8 8oz burgers
4 C. ground bacon
4 C. diced yellow onions
1/3 C. chopped garlic
2 C. apple cider
1 C. dark brown sugar
1 C. brewed coffee
½ C. whole grain mustard
3 T. smoked paprika
Salt
Directions:
Sweat onions and garlic in a little oil. Add bacon. As the bacon releases some fat, skim off excess fat. After 15 or 20 minutes of cooking, add rest of ingredients. Cook on a low simmer until almost all of the liquid is cooked off and gone. It should be damp to the touch, but not overly wet or greasy. Reserve and keep warm.
Bread and Butter Pickles
Per 10# of pickles
10# Kirby cucumbers, sliced
1 gal distilled vinegar
1 gal white wine vinegar
4 C. sugar
6 sliced yellow onions
2# dark brown sugar
2 T. chili flakes
3 T. whole allspice
1 C. celery seed
3 whole sliced yellow peppers
Directions:
Put all liquids, spices, and sugar into a pot. Boil and simmer for 15 min. Cool. Pour over rest of ingredients. Let sit at least 3 days in the refrigerator. Jar to keep longer. Or store in refrigerator up to a month.
Truffle Cheese Mornay
1 gal of whole milk
2 qts of shredded truffle fontina
1 T. truffle oil
1 # roux (equal parts flour and butter by weight)
½# melted butter
Salt
1/2 onion
1 bay leaf
3 pieces cloves
Directions:
Cut onion in half and char one side. Stick cloves in it. Make a slit in the onion and add bay leaf. Bring milk just to boil with onion pique. Once boiled, turn down to low simmer and add ½ of roux. Whisk in and cook till thickened. If still loose, add more roux. Add grated cheese. Melt. Add butter, truffle oil and salt to taste. Once emulsified, pass through a sieve or chinoise. Keep warm.
To Assemble:
Cook your favorite 6-8 oz burger with a couple slices of gruyere cheese. Toast buttered brioche bun. On the bottom add warmed bacon jam, then pickles. Then burger with the cheese. Then a tablespoon or so of warmed mornay. Add top bun. Slice and eat!
