Salisbury Steak with Caramelized Onion Gravy

Salisbury Steak is one of the retro foods that has made a comeback in American kitchens. It was named for James Salisbury, a 19th-century physician, who prescribed it for battlefield patients who, in addition to their wounds, were suffering from digestive problems. His diet recommended serving chopped beef patties three times a day, and the oval-shaped patties, informally dubbed the poor man's steak, came to bear his name. In its purest form, the steak consists only of seasoned beef. However, frugal depression housewives and those cooking in the meat-rationed kitchens of WWII began to add extenders to the chopped beef in order to feed more people. I am no stranger to Salisbury Steak. It was a regular feature on my Mother's table and I made it often for my own family when then was more love than money. Versions of the steak that are currently popular use red wine and mushrooms. The original version of the recipe did not, for obvious reasons.

1 lb ground round beef
½ tsp. black pepper, freshly ground
1 tsp. sea salt
½ tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 whole egg
¼ cup dry breadcrumbs
2 Tbsp. butter
1 large onion, sliced
2 Tbsp. all-purpose flour, unbleached
2 cups beef broth

Combine the Beef, Black Pepper, Salt, Garlic Powder, Worcestershire Sauce, Bread Crumbs and one whole Egg. Stir mixture together well. Shape into 4 equal sized patties.

Heat a skillet over medium heat for about a minute, add butter. Place meat patties in skillet, brown on both sides for about 4-5 minutes each. Remove from skillet and set aside.

Add the sliced Onion into the skillet, right on top of the browned bits.

Reduce the heat and cook the onions on medium-low heat until translucent and brown. Cook the onions low and slow for about 20-25 minutes. Sprinkle flour over the onions and stir. Let cook and brown for about 2 minutes.

Add beef broth. Stir well. Raise the heat back up to about medium and wait for the liquid to boil.

Place the meat patties back in the pan. Cover. Reduce heat just a little and let simmer for about 15 more minutes. Remove from heat and serve warm with mashed potatoes.

Makes 4 servings.