Andouille/Beef Burgers, Spicy Mayo & Caramelized Onions

Manami's Note:

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. Bon Appetit Magazine, July 2006. Recipe by Paul Gayler.

• Total Time: 1 hrs 5 mins
• Prep Time: 25 mins
• Cook Time: 40 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 6

SPICY MAYONNAISE

• ¾ cup mayonnaise
• 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon cajun seasoning or 1 teaspoon creole seasoning
• ¼ teaspoon hot pepper sauce (we used Pickapeppa sauce)

BURGERS

• ½ lb andouille sausage , cut into 1/4-inch cubes
• ¾ cup pecans , toasted, chopped
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 ½ lbs ground chuck (20 percent fat) or 1 ½ lbs ground beef (20 percent fat)

CARAMELIZED ONIONS

• 1 ½ lbs onions , thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil , plus more for brushing grill rack
• 3 garlic cloves , minced
• 1 tablespoon golden brown sugar (has to be sugar, not a sugar substitute)

ASSEMBLY

• 6 large hamburger buns , split
• 8 ounces crumbled blue cheese
• 12 pickled okra pods , halved lengthwise (bottled kind)
• 3 cups watercress , tops
• hot pepper sauce , for serving (we used Pickapeppa Sauce) (optional)

Directions:

1. FOR MAYONNAISE:.
2. Mix all ingredients in small bowl: cover and chill.
3. *Can be made 2 days ahead; keep chilled.
4. FOR BURGERS:.
5. Toss first 4 ingredients in large bowl.
6. Add beef; blend gently.
7. Shape mixture into six 1/2-inch-thick patties.
8. Transfer patties to small baking sheet.
9. **Can be made 1 day ahead; cover and chill.
10. FOR ONIONS:.
11. Prepare barbecue(medium-high heat).
12. Toss onions and next 3 ingredients in large skillet.
13. Place skillet on grill; cook until onions are golden, stirring often, about 25 minutes.
14. Remove from grill; season with salt and pepper.
15. ASSEMBLY:.
16. Brush grill rack with olive oil; grill buns, cut side down, until golden, about 2 minutes.
17. Transfer buns to work surface.
18. Grill burgers until brown on bottom, about 3 minutes.
19. Turn over; sprinkle with cheese.
20. Grill until burgers are cooked to desired doneness, about 3 minutes for medium.
21. Place some onions, then burger, on each bun bottom.
22. Top each with okra and watercress.
23. Spread mayonnaise on cut side of bun tops; place on burgers.
24. Serve with remaining mayonnaise.
25. Enjoy with an ice cold beer!