Cookbook:Monte Cristo Burgers

A Monte Cristo sandwich is a sort of savory French toast sandwich. This recipe combines the traditional sandwich with the hamburger.

Ingredients

 * 1 pound 80/20 ground chuck
 * Salt
 * Freshly-ground black pepper
 * Olive oil
 * 4 hamburger buns, halved
 * Few shots of hot sauce
 * 1 egg, beaten
 * 2 tbsp heavy cream
 * 4 slices cheese
 * Nonstick cooking spray

Procedure

 * 1) Preheat oven to 200°F.
 * 2) Combine the egg, hot sauce, and cream in a pie plate. Dip cut sides of buns into egg mixture. Move to a cooling rack and let sit 10 minutes.
 * 3) Heat a medium nonstick skillet over medium heat. Grease with cooking spray.
 * 4) Add buns, one at a time, and cook until browned on cut side. Move to a clean plate and repeat until all buns have been cooked. Keep warm in the oven.
 * 5) Form beef into 4 equal patties. Brush both sides with olive oil and sprinkle both sides liberally with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
 * 6) Heat about 28 charcoal briquets in a large chimney starter. Once hot, disperse evenly around the bottom of a grill and reapply grate. Add patties and cook, turning often, until internal temperature reaches 145°F for medium rare, 160°F for medium, and 170°F for toast.
 * 7) Remove to a plate, top with cheese, and cover with aluminum foil. Let rest 3 minutes.
 * 8) Place a patty on the bottom half of each bun. Top with upper half and serve warm.