Mini Prime Cheeseburgers with Aged Cheddar

Ingredients

• 1 pound 90% lean ground beef
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 12 thin slices (1/3 ounce) aged Cheddar
• 12 mini brioche buns (or you can cut out bread rounds with a 2-inch cookie cutter)
• 4 cherry tomatoes
• 3 cornichons
• 12 arugula leaves

Preparation

1. Preheat grill or grill pan over high heat. In a bowl, season ground beef with 1/8 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Combine with hands; roll into 2-tablespoon patties, lightly flattening the tops. Place patties on a plate; drizzle with olive oil, and season each side with 1/8 teaspoon salt and pepper. Place burgers on hot grill. Cook 3 minutes; turn over with tongs. Top each burger with 1 slice Cheddar; allow cheese to melt. Separate each mini brioche bun. Place on grill; toast about 1 minute per side. Slice cherry tomatoes into 3 slices each and cornichons into 4 slices each. Sandwich each toasted bun with 1 burger (cheese side up), 1 arugula leaf, 1 tomato slice, and 1 cornichon slice.