CARAMELIZED FRENCH ONION SMASHBURGER

1. Start with the onions. Melt 3 tablespoons of butter in a hot pan, adding a splash of olive oil. Once it’s sizzling, add the onions. Lower the heat to medium-low and let them caramelise gently, stirring every couple of minutes.
2. While the onions are caramelizing, shape your ground beef into four equal balls. Use a burger press or a small plate to smash them into patties. Season each patty with salt and pepper to taste.
3. Heat up a cast-iron or stainless-steel pan to medium heat. Cook each patty for about 4-5 minutes per side. After flipping, quickly crown them with slices of cheese and cover with a lid to trap the heat and melt the cheese to perfection.
4. Once your onions are soft and golden, stir in a tablespoon of balsamic vinegar and a pinch of salt and pepper to elevate their flavour. Let them mingle on low heat for another 5 minutes.
5. Whip up your Dijonnaise by combining mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, and minced garlic.
6. Toast those brioche buns in a bit of butter over medium heat until they’re just kissed by golden perfection.
7. Build the burger: Start with a smear of Dijonnaise on the bottom bun, stack on the patty with its cheesy hat, sprinkle some fresh chopped thyme, and top with a generous scoop of caramelized onions. Add a dab more Dijonnaise on the top bun before capping off this culinary masterpiece.