Feeling some self-pity for staying in my
prison cell apartment last Saturday night, I decided to cheer myself up with a gussied up lamb burger. Aside from the ground lamb which I had purchased earlier in the day, I had all of the components to make the fancy burger that I call comfort food (I swear I'm not a snob):
pickled ramps that I made the other day, some goat cheese in the fridge, and a brioche roll in the freezer. I began with the ramps, cutting off three ramp bulbs and used them in place of garlic in a basic aioli recipe. I toasted the brioche bun and smeared a generous knife full of the aioli on one side. Preparing the lamb patty, I inserted a small round of goat cheese into the middle of it, then cooked the burger to medium-rare. I topped the patty with a small handful of the tangy pickled ramp leaves and wedged everything between the bun. The onion rings I made to serve alongside the burger were a disaster, but the burger was enough to make me forget their soggy mediocrity. It was absolute perfection, especially when washed down with a couple Sixpoint beers and a few episodes of
The Wire. Not bad work for a Saturday night.
I really should stop sleeping late on Saturday. Didn't get to USGM (Union Sq. Greenmarket) until 1 pm last weekend and it turned out that Rick Bishop had sold out of all ramps.
ReplyDelete*sigh*
Nice sandwich. =P
I guess I got lucky. I think I arrived at USGM at 12:30 and Rick Bishop still had a good number of ramps left. This week, I want to get there earlier to get the asparagus and rhubarb before they sell out.
ReplyDeleteI am a fan of anyone who keeps Brioche buns in their freezer..and pickles ramps "just in case" you make staying home on a Saturday sound like the best idea yet! Well done..or medium rare in my case.
ReplyDeleteThanks Tara! I can't say that having pickled ramps and brioche rolls on hand is the norm for me, but when I do have them, I take full advantage.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a great combination. I was just trying to figure out what might be good with goat cheese and pickled ramps. Can't wait to try this!
ReplyDeleteThanks Madame! I was surprised at how well all the flavors in the burger melded together. Let me know how it works out for you!
ReplyDelete