Home on the Range Buffalo Burgers with Fresh Garden Herbs and Huntsman Cheese

Accolades 2007 Finalists
Serves Makes 6 burgers

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 cup minced flat-leaf parsley
  • 1/3 cup chopped chives
  • 2 teaspoons chopped fresh tarragon
  • 2 teaspoons chopped anchovy fillets
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic

Patties

  • 1 1/2 pounds ground buffalo (bison)
  • 1/2 pound ground chuck
  • 1/4 cup thick-and-creamy-style horseradish
  • 1/2 cup grated red onion
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons vegetable oil, for brushing on the grill rack
  • 12 ounces Huntsman cheese (Stilton layered with Double Gloucester), cut into 6 equal slices
  • 6 cracked-wheat hamburger buns, split
  • 6 tablespoons Grey Poupon Savory Honey Mustard
  • 4 cups coarsely chopped European-style salad mix

With regard to the hamburger buns, I teamed this recipe with cracked-wheat buns, which I bought at Whole Foods; whole-wheat buns are also fine. I use the best-quality in-store bakery/artisan buns available.

 

Instructions

Combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, parsley, chives, tarragon, anchovy, and garlic in a food processor; pulse about 10 times to blend. The mixture should be a pale green. Transfer to a small bowl; set aside.

Prepare a medium-hot fire in a charcoal grill with a cover, or preheat a gas grill to medium-high.

To make the patties, combine the buffalo, beef, horseradish, onion and salt in a large bowl. Handling as little as possible, shape into 6 patties.

Brush the grill rack with vegetable oil. Place the patties on the rack, cover, and cook, turning once, 5 to 7 minutes per side for medium, or longer if one desires well done. Top the patties with the cheese during the last 2 minutes of grilling. Place the buns, cut side down, on the outer edges of the grill rack during the final minute of grilling to toast to a light golden brown.

To assemble the burgers, spread the bottom halves of the toasted buns with the mustard, layer with the salad greens and the cheese-topped patties, spread with the herbed mayo and sour cream mixture, and cover with the bun tops.