Blue cheese burger

Ingredients:

• 1 pound (450g) ground beef, preferably 80% lean
• 1/2 teaspoon (3g) salt
• 1/4 teaspoon (1g) freshly ground black pepper
• 4 ounces (115g) blue cheese, crumbled
• 4 hamburger buns, split
• 1 tablespoon (15ml) olive oil
• 1 cup (50g) lettuce leaves
• 1 large tomato, sliced
• 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
• 4 tablespoons (60ml) mayonnaise

Instructions:

1. Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.
2. In a large bowl, gently mix the ground beef with salt and pepper until just combined. Do not overwork the meat.
3. Divide the beef mixture into 4 equal portions and shape each portion into a patty, slightly larger than the buns as they will shrink during cooking.
4. Make a small indentation in the center of each patty with your thumb to prevent them from puffing up while cooking.
5. Grill the burgers for 4-5 minutes on one side, then flip them over.
6. Top each burger with 1 ounce (28g) of crumbled blue cheese. Continue grilling for an additional 4-5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the burgers are cooked to your desired level of doneness.
7. While the burgers are cooking, brush the cut sides of the buns with olive oil and toast them on the grill until golden brown, about 1-2 minutes.
8. Spread 1 tablespoon (15ml) of mayonnaise on the bottom half of each bun.
9. Top each with lettuce, a slice of tomato, a burger patty, and a few slices of red onion.
10. Place the top halves of the buns on the burgers and serve immediately.

Notes:

For a more intense flavor, consider using a stronger blue cheese like Roquefort or Gorgonzola. You can also add crispy bacon or avocado slices as additional toppings. Store any leftover burger patties in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over medium heat.