Balsamic Reduction Burger With Warm Goat Cheese Spread

• Balsamic Reduction
• 1 1/2 cups aged balsamic vinegar
• 3 tablespoons honey
• Warm Goat Cheese Spread
• 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 shallot, finely chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 4 ounces goat cheese
• 2 ounces light cream cheese
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme leaves
• sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
• Optional toppings such as: 6 lettuce leaves, 1 thinly sliced red onion, 1 sliced large tomato
• 6 whole wheat hamburger buns, split and toasted

1. For balsamic reduction: Boil the balsamic vinegar and honey in a heavy small saucepan, uncovered, over medium-high heat until reduced to about 1/3 cup, stirring occasionally, about 18 minutes. While mixture reduces make goat cheese spread. Balsamic reduction can be made days in advance and reheated.
2. For warm goat cheese spread: In a small saucepan, heat olive oil at medium heat. Add shallots and garlic and cook, stirring from time to time, for 5 minutes or until it has soften. Add goat cheese and cream cheese and stir. Cook, whisking with a whisk, just until cheese has melted and mixture is combined, hot and creamy. Remove from heat. Add thyme, salt and pepper and stir well. Cover with a lid to keep warm.
3. Preheat the grill. Divide beef into six portions and shape into patties. Sprinkle patties on both sides with salt and pepper. Cook burgers over medium high heat until meat reaches desired degree of doneness. Baste the burgers with balsamic reduction the last 2 minutes of cooking. To assemble the burger, generously slather each toasted bun with warm goat cheese spread. Layer with the patty and drizzle remaining balsamic reduction on meat. Layer lettuce, tomato, and red onions slices. Top with goat cheese coated toasted bun.

aged balsamic vinegar, honey, extravirgin olive oil, shallot, clove garlic, goat cheese, light cream cheese, thyme, salt, ground beef, red onion, whole wheat hamburger buns

Taken from food52.com/recipes/5765-balsamic-reduction-burger-with-warm-goat-cheese-spread (may not work)