Andouille/Beef Burgers, Spicy Mayo & Caramelized Onions

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.

• Ready In: 1 hr 5 mins
• Serves: 6

Ingredients

• SPICY MAYONNAISE

• 3⁄4 cup mayonnaise
• 1  teaspoon fresh lemon juice
• 1  teaspoon  cajun seasoning or 1  teaspoon  creole seasoning
• 1⁄4 teaspoon  hot pepper sauce (we used Pickapeppa sauce)

• BURGERS

• 1⁄2 lb andouille sausage, cut into 1/4-inch cubes
• 3⁄4 cup pecans, toasted, chopped
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 1⁄4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 1⁄2 lbs  ground chuck (20 percent fat) or 1 1⁄2 lbs ground beef (20 percent fat)

• CARAMELIZED ONIONS

• 1 1⁄2 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!