Smoky Applewood Bacon Burgers Recipes

3-WAY ONION BURGER WITH APPLEWOOD BACON AND AGED SMOKED CHEDDAR ON KAISER ROLL

Steps:

• Melt butter in large saucepan. Add the garlic, tomato paste and water. Stir until tomato paste dissolves. Add the chopped chipotle peppers (seeds removed), peppers and sauce to the pan. Stir to combine. Add the remaining ingredients and simmer for about 30 minutes.
• Strain and set aside.
• Caramelized Onions:
• Thinly slice the red onions. Melt butter in skillet and add garlic, onions and salt and pepper, to taste. Cook stirring occasionally until wilted. Add 1 cup Chipotle BBQ sauce simmer for 30 minutes.
• Beef Patties:
• Cut the root ends off the scallions. Brush with olive oil and place on grill. Grill both sides until grill marks appear. Remove from the grill to a cutting board. Chop and set aside.
• Place ground beef in a bowl and add chopped scallions, about 1 tablespoon salt and 1 tablespoon ground pepper. Mix together and form into patties about 1/2-inch thick.
• Wrap 1 slice applewood bacon around each patty and place on grill, about 5 to 6 minutes on each side for medium-well. Top burgers with cheese the last minute of cooking. Place on platter, cover with foil and set aside.
• Heat oil in a deep-fryer to 350 degrees F. Cut the onions into 1/4-inch thick slices and place in large bowl. Put flour, cornmeal, and 2 tablespoons salt in another bowl. Whisk the eggs in a small bowl, add to the onions and stir to evenly coat. In batches, place the onions in flour mixture and toss until well coated.
• Fry in oil until golden brown and set aside on paper towels to drain. Sprinkle with salt.
• Assemble burger:
• Toast kaiser rolls. Place 1/4 cup caramelized onions on bottom bun. Add burger patty and top with fried onion rings.

SMOKY BACON BURGERS

Steps:

• Combine the ground beef, onion, egg yolk, salt, pepper, and liquid smoke in a medium bowl and mix well.
• The mixture should be soft, yet hold its shape.
• Add up to 1/2 cup bread crumbs if mixture will not come together.
• Mix with your hands-- like a man should!
• Feel free to add small amounts of any other seasonings you think would add to the flavor.
• I like to add a bit of minced garlic, seasoned salt, cayenne, etc.
• Have fun with it.
• Divide the mixture into four equal portions and form into patties that are about the diameter of the buns you'll be using.
• This should make them fairly thin and large.
• Wrap a slice of bacon around the center of each patty and secure with toothpicks.
• Chill in refrigerator at least 1 hour or up to 8 hours to chill and firm up the patties.
• Bring patties up to room temperature while preparing a hot fire in grill.
• Throw on a few water-logged mesquite wood chunks and grill the burgers to your liking, removing the toothpicks before turning over.
• While the burgers are on the grill, lightly toast the buns under the broiler or on the grill.
• Be sure you have the large hamburger buns, not those puny ones like you see in McDonald's happy meals.
• You're making man-sized burgers here!
• Place the hamburger patties, buns, tomatoes, lettuce, and anything else you want to use to build your burger, on individual plates and let each person make their own.
• These burgers go great with potato chips, macaroni salad, baked beans, and corn on the cob for a fantastic Summer meal.
• A chocolate pudding or slice of cream pie makes a great dessert.
• This recipe can be doubled or tripled or whatever to serve as many as you need.
• Enjoy!