Bifteck Hache a la Lyonnaise (Ground Beef with Onions and Herbs)

You know what's wrong with American hamburgers? Not enough butter. Well, Saint Julia knows the solution to that!

This opulent burger was a big hit in our house. I think of thyme as more of a friend to beans and pork than beef, but it lends these burgers an interesting depth of flavor. And oh, the butter... onions sauteed in butter, butter added to the meat, fry the burgers in butter. (In retrospect, I wish I'd read Julia's notes closer and gotten 90% lean ground beef instead of 80%.) The wine reduction (finished with butter, natch) made an interesting condiment - not exactly like steak sauce, but more like that than anything else I can think of.

Serve on a hearty bun with a lettuce leaf and pickles.