Those Patty Melts

  (slightly adapted recipe, originally by Ree Drummond)

What to serve for Football Sunday Supper?  Something fun, simple, and casual! Patty Melts! Oh what a sandwich!  After reading an article about patty melts in the New York Times, I knew I had to make them for Sunday supper!  A combination of tasty burger, melted cheese, and caramelized onions on buttery grilled rye bread, this one is a keeper!  Simple, comforting, and tasty!  I served it with fried okra and potatoes along with pineapple baked beans.  One more thing:  For the final step, rather than using a stove top griddle, I used my Cuisinart Griddler, buttering both sides of the bread and using it as a panini maker!  Worked beautifully!

INGREDIENTS:

1 stick butter

1 whole large onion, halved and sliced

1 ½ pounds ground beef

5 dashes Worcestershire sauce

8 slices rye bread

8 slices Swiss cheese

Salt and pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS:

·         In a medium skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of the butter over medium-low heat.  Throw in the sliced onions and cook slowly until the onions are golden brown and caramelized, about 25 minutes, stirring occasionally.

·         In a medium bowl, mix together the ground beef, Worcestershire sauce and some salt and pepper.  Form into 4 patties, shaped into ovals and about ½-inch thick (roughly the size of the rye bread slices).

·         Melt 2 tablespoons of the butter in a separate skillet over medium heat.  Cook the patties on both sides until totally done in the middle.

·         Assemble the patty melts this way:  Slice of bread, slice of cheese, hamburger patty, a quarter of the cooked onions, another slice of cheese and another slice of bread.

·         On a clean griddle or in a large skillet over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons of the butter and grill the sandwiches until golden brown.

·         Remove the sandwiches and add the remaining 2 tablespoons butter to the skillet.  Return the sandwiches to the skillet, flipping them to the other side. 

·         Cook until golden brown and crisp and until the cheese is melted.

·         Slice in half and serve (with mustard, mayonnaise and sliced pickles if desired)!