Molly O’Neill introduced this hamburger to The Times in 1994, a firm patty wrapped around a pat of sharp mustard butter that melts throughout the meat. It is a noble sandwich that elevates a regular burger into the realms of the sublime.

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 2 plum tomatoes, diced
  • ½ red onion, diced
  • 1 ½ pounds ground beef
  • 4 romaine lettuce leaves
  • 4 hamburger buns
  • 1 ½ teaspoons salt
  • Freshly ground pepper to taste
  • Nutritional Information
    • Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)

      616 calories; 41 grams fat; 16 grams saturated fat; 2 grams trans fat; 16 grams monounsaturated fat; 1 gram polyunsaturated fat; 24 grams carbohydrates; 2 grams dietary fiber; 4 grams sugars; 34 grams protein; 136 milligrams cholesterol; 1227 milligrams sodium

    • Note: Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available data.

Four servings

Preparation

  1. Combine butter and mustard until smooth. Chill until semifirm. Toss together tomatoes and onion.
  2. Start a charcoal grill. Divide the beef and mustard butter into 4 four equal portions. Press butter into the center of each piece of beef and form a ball around it. Gently flatten into a patty. Grill to desired doneness.
  3. Place a lettuce leaf on the bottom half of each bun and top with a patty. Season the meat with the salt and pepper. Top with the tomato mixture and bun tops. Serve immediately.

25 minutes

Dining and Cooking