Quick and easy meals appeal to me more and more as I approach middle age. (Middle age – right!?!?) Well isn’t 73 the new 53? Apparently only in my mind, because my body sure as heck isn’t going along with my brain on this one!

So when my body won the other evening after a long and arduous day, my mind decided to go along for the ride and helped me remember all the ground beef I have in my freezer.

So this dish is the result of a whole body agreement. And every part of my body must have been in sync because this dish turned out really yummy. And oh so easy to prepare. I served it with a simple mixed rice mixture cooked in my rice cooker, and warmed petite peas. So without even breaking a sweat, I had dinner on the table before my martini was finished.

So if you love ground beef and mushrooms, give this recipe a try. It’s comfort food to the max. It is also quite an economical dish to serve. And I can’t imagine my own children not thinking this was wonderful, especially if I served it with mashed potatoes.

So give this recipe a try. You will be reminded once again that even a meal that comes together quickly can be delicious.

• 3 T. extra-virgin olive oil, divided
• 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tsp. Montreal Steak Seasoning
• ¼ tsp. kosher salt
• freshly ground black pepper
• 1 lb. lean ground beef  
• 1 c. chopped onion  
• 8-12 sliced button mushrooms
• 1 lg. garlic clove, finely minced
• 1 T. unbleached, all-purpose flour
• 1 c. beef broth
• 1 T. Cognac, opt.  
• parsley, garnish

Whisk 1 tablespoon of the olive oil, Worcestershire sauce, Montreal seasoning, salt, and black pepper together in a bowl. Add the ground beef and gently mix until well combined. (You never want to mix the meat too much or too hard. Over mixing makes the meat tough.)

Using your hands, shape the mixture into 3-4 patties. (Again, don’t mess with the meat too much. No scrunching or tightly pressing the meat into patties allowed.) 

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Sear the burgers on both sides to create a nice “crust” on the burgers. Remove burgers from skillet and place on a plate. Set aside. (The burgers will not be done at this point.)

Add the onion and mushrooms to the pan; sauté until tender and golden. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.

Sprinkle in flour and cook until golden, stirring constantly. Slowly whisk in broth. Turn off heat and add the Cognac. Adjust seasoning. Turn on heat and bring gravy to a simmer. Add the hamburger patties and cook until the gravy is thickened and the burgers are cooked to your liking. Garnish with parsley. Serve immediately.