It’s the walnuts and buffalo that make the burger. Though their flavors are mild, they are the base that allows the dramatic blue cheese, pear and balsamic vinegar to really soar. Beware – this is no ordinary burger and it is addictive.
Wine pairing
Only a red wine will do and frankly, the bolder, the better. The flavors of this burger are powerful and deep and the more massive the red wine, the better. Acidity in the wine is not a problem – if there ever was a time for flabby red wine it is now. With the balsamic vinegar all of a flabby wine’s problems are cured.
My favorites are Malbec, Zinfandel and Aussie Shiraz. Any and all will do but for me, I love my red meat with Malbec.
Ingredients
This makes four burgers.
4 buns, toasted
1 lb. buffalo meat, ground
¼ cup walnut pieces (whole walnuts are unnecessary)
4 oz. blue cheese – of very high quality.
2 pears (Anjou, or other red skin variety), sliced 1/2” thick
4 tsp. 16 – 25 year old balsamic (or regular balsamic reduced to syrup)
1 tbs. olive oil
To taste Salt
To taste black pepper
Method
1. Preheat the oven to 250 degrees. Gently toast the walnut pieces until golden brown. I used to skip this step thinking that it was unimportant. I couldn’t have been more mistaken. The toasting until golden brown is what makes the walnuts rich and full bodied, accenting the their earthy, sous bois characteristics. So don’t skip this step! These flavors tie the burger together and make it harmonious.
2. Cool the walnut pieces. When cool crumble the blue cheese and mix together. Combine with the buffalo and mix, keeping all very cool.
3. Heat the oil in a sauté pan. Sauté the burgers until done. Remove from pan, reserve and keep in a warm place.
I prefer my burgers rare. But however you like the burgers much of the blue cheese will render into the pan. When the burgers are done remove them and add the thick pear slices to the pan. Cook the pear slices briefly, until they have soaked up the blue cheese grease.
4. Place sliced buns on a plate. Top with burger and then sautéed pear slice. Drizzle balsamic vinegar over the top. Serve!
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Where in Milwaukee can you find buffalo meat?
Whole Foods on the East Side typically stocks it. If you are going that way the blue cheese I would specifically reccommend can also be found there — Roaring 40′s Blue.
There is also a habitat near the zoo where several delicious looking buffalo roam in a humane enclosure. You can lure them to the fence line with carrots and honey. After that, you’re on your own. Bring a friend and a conversion van.