7/13/10

pimento cheeseburger w/ tomato-balsamic reduction

pimento cheeseburger 5
Let's have a cheeseburger shall we? No no, I mean a real cheeseburger filled with lots of good stuff and layers of FLAVOR. You with me? Good. Because you're going to have to try this. I've never given you homework, and wouldn't think of giving you homework during the summer, but this is mandatory--you must make these. OK? They will not let you down.
I've never tried a pimento cheeseburger. I know, dumb.
Recently on the Food Network I saw bobby flay make pimento burgers, then literally a couple days later paula deen, and then I got curious and hungry, and figured it was a sign for me to make them already.  Bobby nor Paula didn't use a balsamic dressing, I just had to--the burgers, the cheese just went so well with the balsamic reduction.
Are pimento burgers a southern thing? I think so right?
Well they should be a northern thing too. Normally the pimento cheeseburger doesn't have this balsamic reduction, but I just wanted to add an extra layer of flavor, and I'm really glad I did--they blended perfectly. Let me share with you a couple of my cook notes.
pimento cheeseburger 3

Cook notes: I was going to add tomatoes to these but they would have made everything too watery. The pimento sauce isn't that thick and runs a bit when heated up.
Make sure to use a good sharp cheddar cheese.
I think adding a layer of crispy bacon would work well on this, but add it to the bottom of the burger not next to the sauce so the sauce still stands out. Use sweet onions on this not red onions; red onions are a bit overwhelming and the pimento sauce gets lost. Always toast your buns!
You know this already.
pimento cheeseburger 2 (1)

pimento cheeseburgers w/ tomato-balsamic reduction
print recipe

5 ounces good quality sharp yellow cheddar cheese, chopped fine
3 TB hellmans mayo
1 & 1/2 TB pimentos, chopped
1 & 1/2 TB grated sweet onion
1 TB worcestershire sauce
salt & pepper for the burgers only
(this should be enough sauce for 3-4 burgers)

In a bowl, combine cheese, mayonnaise, pimentos, grated onion, and worcestershire. Cover place in fridge till ready to use.
Season patties with salt and pepper. I like to use an 85% lean ground beef or chuck. Cook burgers the way you like them and when done top with the pimento cheese cover with a bowl and let cheese melt a bit. Serve on toasted onion rolls or ciabatta rolls, top with thinly sliced sweet onions, lettuce and some of the balsamic reduction.

tomato-balsamic reduction

1/4 cup of high quality balsamic vinegar
3- 4 TB ketchup

place in a sauce pan and reduce down over medium to low heat. you know its done when you have a nice thick syrup. this should take about 15 minutes or so.

47 comments:

  1. I'll have two, please. Gorgeous photos!

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  2. looks yummy! quick question...

    instead of "chopping" the cheese like you suggest, could you simply use a box grater?

    thanks!!

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  3. Holy crap. I want to eat that wicked bad. I never thought to put a reduction on a burger, what's wrong with me?!

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  4. sad to say it but I've never even heard of a pimento cheeseburger! but now I want to try--yours looks so good!

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  5. anonymous: of course you can grate it, just make sure it's finely grated, melts better that way.

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  6. Sounds like a great summer treat! I always wondered about the velveeta pimento cheese thing too.

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  7. For SURE a southern thing. Pimento something or rather is on the menu everywhere down here :) My mom actually had a fried green tomatoes and pimento cheese sandwich at brunch the other day!

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  8. "I'm in love, I'm all shook up" - I'll have one and bring mine by the pool please...LOL

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  9. oh my heaven girl. I have cut back on my meat intake in the past few months...and save it for special occasions. THIS would definitely be a special occasion!

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  10. i've never been a fan of pimentos, but this burger might change my mind!!

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  11. now that's my kind of burger

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  12. That looks amazing!! I made burgers last night and would have loved to have pimento cheese to top them. Sounds perfect.

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  13. Esta hamburguesa dice, comeme, se ve deliciosa. Saludos

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  14. I loved this Burger...I want another one for dinner tonite again!

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  15. omg, that looks so huge and tasty!

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  16. Sweet Jesus, I want to come to your house for a bbq

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  17. I have seen pimiento spread everywhere lately and it has absolutely convinced me that I need it in my life. Now. Can you just convince my med school teachers to make all of our homework this delicious?

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  18. Oh, yeah...now this is a burger I can sink my teeth into!!!!!!



    ps...I've done 3 previous films before the current one I'm working on.

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  19. Now, THAT is a kingly looking burger. And with all that cheese and pimentos, who can resist? ;)

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  20. I also didn't have a good image of pimento cheese - that is, until i saw this post. Thank goodness there's still plenty of burger-grilling days left!

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  21. I made these too Dawn, I loved them but Grumpy thought they were too spicy. Leave it to him! The good thing is I can still have this while has a regular old boring cheeseburger. ;)

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  22. Oh that sauce sounds so amazing!

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  23. This really does look super flavor packed! I am loving it!o

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  24. That's a realll nice looking cheeseburger you got there.

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  25. You have me drooling here girl...seriously...drooling!

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  26. i feel waves of pity for people who've never had pimento cheese--it's a delight. your burger looks AWESOME--the reduction really seals the deal!

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  27. i love the tomato balsamic reduction idea! how genius.

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  28. yes, i've made pimento cheeseburgers and am glad to see that you tried them too. i posted my version a month ago and stuff mine with the cheese mixture instead of topping them with it. hope you stop by and check my version out too. Roz @ La Bella Vita http://bellavita-bellasblog.blogspot.com

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  29. I - I have nothing to say that's new. :) You already know what I think.

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  30. Now that's a burger!!!
    Nice job, Dawn:)

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  31. ::Salivates:: I don't know that I've ever had pimento cheese, but I love how it is getting a more upscale twist.

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  32. Beautiful photos and post! I have two burger eaters in my home, my husband and son. I am always looking for new and interesting ways to cook burgers and this looks so good, never tried with pimento cheese. I definately will make these! Thanks for sharing!

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  33. OMG. This is the gods of cheeseburgers! I'll have a dozen!

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  34. Wow, great job here. Awesome picture too! You should really consider submitting this to Recipe4Living's Juiciest Burger Contest! It looks delicious!

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  35. oh yum! I haven't tried pimento cheese or a pimento cheeseburger but this looks absolutely fabulous!

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  36. Oh yum! I've never had pimento cheeseburger. That reduction sounds good too!

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  37. Those are some tasty looking burgers!

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  38. This is veggie burger to the max.

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  39. Why oh why does my keyboard not have the 'drooling' face? When I come out to visit, this is what we are having!

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  40. Made this tonight along with the bacon peanut butter cookies, except I saved some dough to make pazookie's with, major hit with them half baked and vanilla icecream on top. I should have also used thicker patties, but the taste was out of this world. I am so happy I discovered your blog. I discovered about 2 months ago and have made the short ribs and also the sweet potato muffins. Everything is outrageous. You have true talent.

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  41. Great photos! Never had a pimento burger..Sounds delish!

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  42. We made this soon after you posted it and it's amazing. I mean, so amazing that my husband never wants to have any other type of burger ever again.

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