Name: Andouille and Beef Burgers with Spicy Mayo and Caramelized Onions
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 1
Ingredients: 3/4 cup mayonnaise; 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice; 1 teaspoon Cajun or Creole seasoning blend; 1/4 teaspoon hot pepper sauce; 1/2 pound andouille sausage, cut into scant 1/4-inch cubes; 3/4 cup pecans, toasted, chopped; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper; 1 1/2 pounds ground beef chuck or ground beef (20 percent fat); 1 1/2 pounds onions, thinly sliced; 2 tablespoons olive oil plus more for brushing grill rack; 3 garlic cloves, minced; 1 tablespoon golden brown sugar; 6 large hamburger buns, split; 8 ounces crumbled blue cheese; 12 pickled okra pods, halved lengthwise*; 3 cups watercress tops

Prolific cookbook author James McNair has been chief judge of Sutter Home Winery's burger cook-off since it began in Napa in 1990. One of his books, Build a Better Burger, includes every winning recipe. Some past winners — and McNair's Louisiana roots — inspired the burger here.

AuthorEcho Ash

RatingDifficultyIntermediate

Yields1 Serving

Prep Time20 minsCook Time20 minsTotal Time40 mins

Spicy Mayonnaise

3/4 cup mayonnaise

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1 teaspoon Cajun or Creole seasoning blend

1/4 teaspoon hot pepper sauce

Burgers

1/2 pound andouille sausage, cut into scant 1/4-inch cubes

3/4 cup pecans, toasted, chopped

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 1/2 pounds ground beef chuck or ground beef (20 percent fat)

Caramelized Onions

1 1/2 pounds onions, thinly sliced

2 tablespoons olive oil plus more for brushing grill rack

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 tablespoon golden brown sugar

6 large hamburger buns, split

8 ounces crumbled blue cheese

12 pickled okra pods, halved lengthwise*

3 cups watercress tops

Spicy Mayonnaise:

Mix all ingredients in small bowl. Cover and chill.

Burgers:

Toss first 4 ingredients in large bowl. Add beef; blend gently. Shape mixture into six 1/2-inch-thick patties. Transfer patties to small baking sheet.

Caramelized Onions:

Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat). Toss onions and next 3 ingredients in large skillet. Place skillet on grill; cook until onions are golden, stirring often, about 25 minutes. Remove from grill; season with salt and pepper.

Brush grill rack with olive oil. Grill buns, cut side down, until golden, about 2 minutes. Transfer buns to work surface. Grill burgers until brown on bottom, about 3 minutes. Turn over; sprinkle with cheese. Grill until burgers are cooked to desired doneness, about 3 minutes for medium. Place some onions, then burger, on each bun bottom. Top each with okra and watercress. Spread mayonnaise on cut side of bun tops; place on burgers. Serve with remaining mayonnaise.

Ingredients