BLT&E burger

BLT&E burger. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times / June 30, 2012)

June 30, 2012

"Breakfast is by far the best and most important meal of the day. A BLT is a near-perfect breakfast sandwich. Add an egg and you have, in my opinion, a perfect sandwich. Now people have started making breakfast burgers, topped with bacon and an egg, which is another great meal in my book! But, what if you combine the two?! A BLT&E."

— Christopher Lucchese, Echo Park

BLT&E

Total time: 1 hour, 10 minutes

Servings: 6

Note: From Christopher Lucchese of Echo Park. Ask your butcher to grind the rib-eye for you if you do not have a grinder at home. Quail eggs can be found at select gourmet and well-stocked markets.

1 pound ground rib-eye steak

1 pound fresh pork breakfast sausage, casings removed

10 strips bacon, fried, crumbled and fat reserved

1 cup diced cherry or small tomatoes, preferably a blend such as Sweet 100 and/or green grape

2 tablespoons maple syrup

1 tablespoon beef broth

1 cup beer, such as a good lager

2 tablespoons ketchup

1 egg, lightly beaten

2 to 3 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper, or to taste

2 to 3 teaspoons sea salt, or to taste

1/2 teaspoon paprika, or to taste

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, or to taste

1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper, or to taste