*  Exported from  MasterCook  *

                            Bitoque Provencal

Recipe By     : GDC
Serving Size  : 6    Preparation Time :0:30
Categories    : Main Meals                       Meats
                French

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
   2      pounds        ground beef
     1/3  cup           fresh bread crumbs
     1/8  cup           milk
     1/2  teaspoon      salt
     1/4  teaspoon      pepper
     1/4  cup           flour
   3      tablespoons   butter -- do NOT substitute
   3      tablespoons   sour cream
   3      tablespoons   consomme
   1      medium        onion -- finely chopped
   2      cloves        garlic -- finely chopped

Soak crumbs in milk.  Squeeze crumbs to remove excess milk.  In a bowl, combine moistened crumbs, ground beef, salt, pepper, onion and garlic.   Mix well preferably with your hands.  Form mixture into six approximately 5.5 ounce patties.  Dredge patties with flour, remove excess.

In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat.  Add the meat patties and cook for 5 minutes on each side.  Do not overcook.  Remove patties to a heated serving dish and keep them warm.

Add sour cream and consomme to skillet and cook for two minutes.  Season to taste.  Bring to boil, stirring all the time to prevent sour cream from curdling and constantly keep on scraping the bottom of the skillet until all the brown meat crust from frying is dissolved.  Pour resulting sauce over the meat and serve immediately.

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NOTES : This is closest the French come to our lowly hamburger.  It is FAR tastier and even elegant!