Bistro Beef 'Steaks' with Wild Mushroom Sauce Ground Beef

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 lbs. ground round
• 1 medium onion, cut in half
• 3/4 tsp. salt
• salt and pepper
• 8 oz. sliced assorted fresh wild mushrooms, such as oyster, cremini and shiitake (about 3 cups)
• 1 1/2 cups (12 oz.) beer, preferably honey lager, or non-alcoholic beer
• 1 package (.87 to .88 oz.) brown gravy mix
• 2 tsp. chopped fresh thyme or 1/2 tsp. dried thyme leaves, crumbled

Instructions

Finely chop half onion. Thinly slice remaining half; set aside.

Combine chopped onion, ground beef and 3/4 tsp. salt in large bowl, mixing lightly but thoroughly. Lightly shape into four 1/2-inch thick oval "steaks". Sprinkle tops with salt and pepper, as desired.

Heat large nonstick skillet over medium heat until hot. Place patties in skillet; cook 10-12 minutes to medium (160°F) doneness, turning once. Remove from skillet; keep warm.

Add sliced onion, mushrooms and 1/4 cup beer to same skillet; cook over medium-high heat 5 minutes or until vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally.

Combine gravy mix with remaining beer in small bowl, mixing until smooth, stir into mushroom mixture in skillet. Add 1 tsp. of chopped thyme; simmer 1 minute or until thickened, stirring frequently. Spoon sauce over patties; sprinkle with remaining 1 tsp. chopped thyme.

Garnish with thyme, if desired.

Suggestions

Do not over-mix patties. Over-mixing will give meatballs and loaves a frim, compact texture.

Tips from Our Cook

Water or beef broth may be substituted for the beer.