Sliders are IN! Balsamic Onions, Arugala, and Fresh Tomatoes make them AMAZING

  

Sliders are SO in, you can hardly open a menu today that doesn't offer them. I happen to love bite-sized anything... remember me, the one that orders three apps for dinner? For a bar-b-q they work great, especially if you are willing to make homemade slider rolls, as we do. Even if you don't, try this recipe. It is delicious!The fresh arugala, cherry tomatoes and balsamic onions are THE BOMB!

A couple of hints.

When you make the golfball sized burgers, flatten them slightly and make a depression in the center with your thumb. This avoids the bulging-in-the-middle burger phenomenon (tah-dah!!). Oil the grill well, or use one of those grill liners that you use for vegetables. Put them on the grill, let them sit untouched for 3 minutes, then turn them ONLY ONCE. Leave them a bit underdone, as they will continue to cook after the grill.

I like to split and garnish the rolls on a separate tray, then nestle the cooked burgers beside, that way the arugala stays crisp.

• 2 pounds ground beef, not too lean
• 1 tablespoon dijon mustard 
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon chopped thyme
• 4 teaspoons chopped garlic
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon aleppo or black pepper
• 12 small slider or brioche buns
• handful of arugala
• cherry or plum tomatoes sliced
• balsamic onions (see below)
• Ketchup, for serving

Build a charcoal or gas fire.
Mix meat with mustard and other seasonings, mixing well to combine but keep the mixture fluffy. Shape into 12 small burgers with a center depression (see above). Grill for 4 minutes per side.

Split buns, and put arugala, tomato, and balsamic onions inside. Serve hot with ketchup. 

Balsamic Onions:

3 small red onions sliced thinly
olive oil
sprinkle of sugar
salt and pepper
1/4 cup good balsamic vinegar

In a heavy pan, heat about 1/4 cup olive oil, and cook sliced onions very slowly, stirring occasionally. When they have turned translucent, add in a sprinkle of sugar (about a tsp), and mix. Continue to cook until onions are soft and golden. Stir in balsamic vinegar, and season to taste with salt and pepper.

You can also do this in a 375 degree oven... mix onions, oil, vinegar, salt and pepper and bake about 15 minutes, toss with more vinegar when done.