step 1
Preheat oven to 425˚F (218˚C)
step 2
Prepare caramel for onion tatin: in a small saucepan melt Granulated Sugar (4 Tbsp) over medium heat, swirling occasionally until sugar is dissolved into a light amber color.
step 3
Add Unsalted Butter (1/4 cup) pieces and swirl to melt and incorporate. Turn off heat and carefully stream in Hard Apple Cider (4 Tbsp) go slow as it will sputter a bit.
step 4
Return to heat, stirring in Molasses (2 Tbsp) and bring to a simmer to incorporate. Set aside.
step 5
Carefully slice Red Onion (1) into ¾ inch (19 mm) thick slices, making sure to keep rounds intact, remove skin.
step 6
Slice Pink Lady Apple (1) into ¼ inch (6mm) thick slices.
step 7
Place one sheet of thawed Puff Pastry (14 oz) on a floured surface and depending on sheet fold into quarters or thirds*. Dust a rolling pin with All-Purpose Flour (3 pinches) and roll out into a 12”x12” (30x30cm) rectangle. Cut out 4 - 5-inch (12cm) circles.
step 8
Preheat mini cast-iron skillets* over medium-high heat. Lightly coat with a touch of vegetable oil in the bottom of the pan, sear onion rounds until lightly charred.
step 9
Season with salt and pepper and drizzle with 3-4 tablespoons of cider caramel, enough to cover the bottom of the pan.
step 10
Top each onion slice with 2 apple slices followed by 1 pastry round, pressing to adhere to onion/apple.
step 11
Brush pastry with melted Butter (1 stick) and season with salt and sprinkle with Black and White Sesame Seeds (1 handful) seeds.
step 12
Place remaining pastry rounds on a baking sheet, brush with butter and season with sesame seeds. Bake until pastry is golden brown and puffed, about 12-15 minutes, or until golden and puffed.
step 13
Let cast-iron buns cool slightly before carefully releasing onto a plate. If caramel hardens, simply reheat over flame on stove and release with an offset spatula or spoon.
step 14
For the burger - mix together ground Beef Short Ribs (4 oz) Ground Chuck (8 oz) ground Top Sirloin (4 oz) Granulated Garlic (1 tsp) Kosher Salt (1 Tbsp) Freshly Ground Black Pepper (1 tsp) and 1 tablespoon Apple Butter (3 Tbsp).
step 15
Form into 2 patties and set aside. In another bowl mix together remaining apple butter and softened Salted Butter (1/4 cup) until smooth. Slice Camembert (1 cup) into ¼ inch (6 mm) wheels and prepare desired burger accoutrement (Lettuce (1 head), Tomato (1), Dijon Mustard (1 dash), Ketchup (1 dash)
step 16
Heat a heavy-duty skillet with vegetable oil and pan fry burgers in hot oil for 2-3 minutes for medium (5 minutes for well done).
step 17
Flip burgers and spoon apple butter into pan, basting burgers with butter to coat, cooking for another 2-3 minutes. Top with camembert cheese slices and broil (or cover with a lid) until melted.
step 18
Serve atop onion tatin buns garnishing with desired burger fixings and a dollop of apple butter, if desired.