Kerry Simon'S Ultimate Burger - cooking recipe

Ingredients

4 slices apple-smoked bacon
4 medium portabella mushrooms, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
2 shallots, thinly sliced
1 lb ground chuck
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 cup dark beer
1/2 cup celery leaves, chopped
3/4 cup bacon, finely minced
1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped
salt and pepper
brioche bread, loaf
aged cheddar cheese
roma tomato, sliced

Preparation

In a skillet, render the sliced bacon. Remove cooked bacon from pan and drain on paper towels, leaving rendered fat in the pan. Add the mushrooms, garlic and shallots to the same pan and cook about 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat to cool.
In a bowl, combine the ground chuck, oil, beer, celery leaves, minced bacon, thyme and salt and pepper. Shape into patties. Grill the burgers to your desired doneness.
Cut the brioche into slices that are about the same size as the patties and toast until golden brown.
Add cheese, if using, to the burgers to melt. Top each burger with bacon, sauteed mushroom mixture and tomato slices, and place between slices of toasted brioche.