Country-Style Chopped Sirloin With Old-Fashioned Onion Mushroom Gravy

1 large egg

1/3 cup quick oats (oatmeal)

1 cup onion, finely chopped, divided

¼ teaspoon salt, plus more to taste

1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper, plus more to taste

8 ounces ground sirloin (90 percent lean)

1-2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided

1 cup button mushrooms, finely chopped

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1 cup (about) warm water

In a large bowl, combine the egg, oats, 2 tablespoons onion, ¼ teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper and mix well. Crumble the ground beef over the egg mixture. Using your hands, mix well (see note). Form into 2 patties about 3 inches wide and ¾ inch thick.

Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a regular (not nonstick) skillet over medium-high. Add patties and cook about 3 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Remove to a plate.

In the same skillet, add the remaining onion and mushrooms. Cook until onions are tender and mushrooms have released their water, about 3 minutes. Scrape onto plate with beef patties.

Reduce heat to medium-low and add 1-3 teaspoons oil, enough to cover the bottom of the skillet in a thin pool. Sprinkle the flour over the oil and stir well, forming a thick paste. Continue to cook the paste until it turns a medium brown and all the bits and pieces of the beef are incorporated in the paste. Slowly and carefully add the water, stirring constantly to form the gravy.

Once the gravy comes to a low boil and begins to thicken, add the beef patties and the veggies back into the skillet. Turn the heat to low and spoon the gravy over the meat. Simmer 5-15 minutes, until ready to serve.

Add a few more tablespoons water if gravy becomes too thick. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper, if desired. Serve.

Serves two.

Cook’s note: Always wash your hands thoroughly after handling raw meat.

Nutrition values per serving: 432 calories, 17.5 g fat (5 g saturated), 25 g carbohydrates, 3 g fiber, 42 g protein, 194 mg cholesterol, 406 mg sodium.