Weekly Connections with Brian Lafontaine July 27, 2025
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Now that is a mouthful! Literally! I prefer to use lean ground beef for these burgers. The addition of the bacon and blue cheese provide plenty of extra fat and flavor. Stout is my favorite beer for burgers. I only use cast iron pans and skillets to blacken food and prefer to heat it outside on the grill for at least 10 minutes because blackening can be smokey. A slice of ripe tomato, a lettuce leaf on a soft roll and the deal is done! Make your burgers any size you like, I do six ounces. Give yourself an hour to prepare and cook these delicious burgers. Buy a good Cajun spice or make your own. A robust porter or stout is the perfect pairing with the savory smokiness of these burgers. Cheers!
2 pounds lean ground beef
½ cup basil leaves, coarsely chopped
2 ounces stout, chilled
6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
4 ounces blue cheese, crumbled
1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons The Brew Chef’s Black Garlic Hopzalt*
1 Tablespoon Cajun blackening spice, reserve half
1. Blend all the ingredients together.
2. Form equal patties and coat with reserved Cajun spice.
3. Place the burgers on a clean and oiled hot cast iron pan.
4. Cook on each side for 3 minutes or until medium rare.
*Available @ Brewchefhopzalts.com
Tim “Tne Brew Chef: Schafer
Tim “The Brew Chef” Schafer is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America and has been an accomplished Chef, restaurateur, caterer and consultant for the past 35 years. His New Jersey and North Carolina restaurants garnered high acclaim and well deserved accolades from top food critics as well as the masses of his loyal guests and followers. Since his last restaurant Chef Schafer has been consulting on many wonderful projects and have shared in their successes. Tim Schafer’s Catering has always specialized in a spectrum of events from small intimate dinner parties to customized elaborate affairs. Chef Schafer has catered for an extensive list of exclusive celebrity clients including an array of actors & entertainers along with many professional athletes from the NFL field to the homes & tracks of many NASCAR drivers & teams.
