Hamburgers with Blue Cheese Sauce

1. 1

   Make the toasts: Toast the bread on a baking sheet under a preheated broiler about 3 inches from the heat until it is golden.

2. 2

   Brush it with oil and turn it.

3. 3

   Toast the other side of the bread until it is golden.

4. 4

   Brush it with the oil, and rub it with the cut sides of the garlic.

5. 5

   Make the sauce: In a small saucepan combine the shallots and the vinegar; bring the vinegar to a boil, and boil it until it is reduced to a glaze.

6. 6

   Add the wine and boil it until it measures about 1/4 cup.

7. 7

   Remove the pan from the heat, swirl in the butter and the blue cheese until the mixture is smooth, and keep the sauce warm.

8. 8

   Make the hamburgers: Handling the meat as little as possible, shape it gently into four 1-inch-thick oval patties and season the patties with the pepper.

9. 9

   Heat a large cast-iron skillet over moderately high heat until it is hot, sprinkle it evenly with the coarse salt, and in it cook the hamburgers, covered, turning them once, for 6 minutes for medium-rare meat.

10. 10

    Set each hamburger on a toast on a plate and spoon the sauce over the hamburgers.

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.