Les Is More Burgers

Lynne's burger-obsessed friend Les Meltzer has waxed on forever about his pinnacle burger experience from years ago in Minot, North Dakota. There, a certain bar would practically burn their burgers on the grill to get them extra crusty and brown, then drop them into a vat of simmering BBQ sauce to finish.

It's divine inspiration in these times of required well-done patties that end up as dry as dirt.

Wine: Try a big California Zinfandel, slightly chilled to tamp down the alcohol and freshen the wine.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground chuck, 85% lean, organic and grass-fed if possible

• 1 fresh jalapeño chile, minced

• 1/2 medium onion, minced

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

• BBQ Sauce

• Extra-virgin olive oil

• 4 hamburger buns

• Condiments of choice

Instructions

1. With a light hand, blend the chuck with the chile, onion, salt, and pepper. Gently pat the meat into 4 equal patties about 1-1/4 inches thick, and set aside.

2. Put the BBQ sauce in a deep 6-quart pot and bring to a gentle simmer.

3. Coat a large skillet with a thin film of oil, and set it over high heat. When the oil is hot, add the burgers and cook for about 2 minutes per side, or until they are a deep, crusty brown. Remove the burgers from the skillet and slip them into the simmering BBQ sauce. Simmer at a slow bubble for 6 to 7 minutes for medium (140°F. to 145°F. on an instant-read thermometer) and 8 to 9 minutes for medium to medium-well.

4. Remove the meat from the BBQ sauce and assemble the burgers on the buns. Garnish with condiments as you please.