Hamburger Steak with Balsamic Mushrooms and Noodles

Funny story...both my husband and I at different times in our childhood were in hospital and we had the same food experience. Supper came around and the slip on the tray said Salisbury Steak. Oh steak!! But when we lifted the warming cover we discovered, to our dismay, a hamburger steak. Imagine our disappointment. We were young, we didn't know. But we've learned over the years that while Salisbury or hamburger steak is not by any means a ribeye, it can still be very satisfying.

Hamburger Steaks:
1 lb lean ground beef
1/4 cup bread crumbs
2 tbsps tomato paste
1 tsp worcestershire sauce
1 tsp dry mustard
1 tbsp dry onion soup mix
1/2 tsp pepper

Sauce:
1 onion, sliced
1 tsp dried thyme
2 tbsps cornstarch
2 tsp dry onion soup mix
3 cups beef consommé
1 tsp worcestershire sauce

Noodles:
4 oz egg noodles
2 tbsps butter
1 tbsp olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
8 oz white mushrooms, thickly sliced
1/8 cup balsamic vinegar
1/8 cup dry red wine
1/4 cup 10% cream
1 tbsp dry onion soup mix

Combine the hamburger steak ingredients, blending together with your hands and form 4 steak patties. Heat some olive oil in a skillet and brown the patties on each side about 3 minutes. Remove from skillet and set aside.

In the same skillet add another tablespoon or 2 of olive oil and add the onions. Gently brown about 2-3 minutes. Combine thyme, cornstarch and soup mix and mix with the onions. Cook 1 minute then slowly add the broth and worcestershire sauce. Bring to a boil to thicken.
Return the hamburger steaks to the sauce and keep warm on medium to low heat.

Meanwhile prepare mushrooms and noodles.  Cook noodles as per package directions, drain and toss with a little oil and set aside.

Heat a frying pan with butter and olive oil. Add the sliced mushrooms and cook about 8 minutes.

If it gets dry you may want to add another tablespoon of oil. Combine the balsamic and red wine and add to the pan, scraping off the brown bits.

Remove from heat and quickly stir in the cream and dry onion soup powder. Toss with the noodles.

Serve up the hamburger steak on balsamic mushrooms and noodles and no one will be disappointed.

Serves 4