Fishhound Magazine 004 | Page 24

Food&Drink fall in love with Beef & bourbon words by // Food Network Star Nikki Martin /GrillNextDoor | February. The holidays are over, it’s the dead of winter and its just around the time that the deer sausage from last season’s hunt starts to dwindle. Comfort food and hearty meals are a favorite in these months… The stores have cleared out the Christmas ornaments and replaced them with chocolate cupids and pink hearts. February is often recalled for the sometimes cheesy and over hyped holiday known as: Valentine’s Day. Whether your plans are to dine with a cherished loved one or drink your single woes away with friends… why not celebrate with an all American comfort food classic that has LOVE written all over it? I mean, who DOESN’T love a BURGER? /MzNikkiMartin | /GrillNextDoor Enter the three ingredients certain to make anyone swoon. BACON. BEEF. BOURBON. This recipe is for one of my favorite gourmet burgers, one that still captures the beefy essence of a true hamburger, but mixes in a savory & gourmet twist., not to mention a little Winter Warming Bourbon….. The BURGER INGREDIENTS • 8 .oz Grass Fed Beef • 2 .oz Apple Wood Smoked Bacon (Diced) • 1 tbs Worcestershire Sauce • 1/2 cup Bulleit Bourbon • Salt + Pepper • ½ Vidalia Sweet Onion Sliced • 2 tbs Sweet Butter For Assembly • 1 Brioche Bun • 1 Slice Vermont Aged White Cheddar Sharp • Garlic Mayo for Bun • 3 .oz Bourbon Caramelized Onions Fold diced bacon into ground beef, add Worcestershire, ¼ cup bourbon and S+P. Grill to medium rare temp. In a large skillet, caramelize onion, slow and low with a splash of olive oil, 1.5 tbs butter and ¼ cup bourbon… sweat the onions until golden and sweet. Melt cheese on burger, top with caramelized onions and garnish toasted bun with aioli. BBM Page 23 | Big bass monthly