All Smoked Up Burger
Ingredients
Spice Rub
2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
1 tablespoon sweet smoked paprika (or just regular paprika if it cannot be found)
1 tablespoon coarse kosher salt
1 ½ teaspoons chipotle chili powder
cracked black pepper to taste
Ketchup Mayo Spread
½ cup mayonnaise
2 ½ tablespoons ketchup
Roasted Tomato and Avocado
2 large, ripe tomatoes
2 very ripe avocados
Beef
1 ½ pounds ground beef
Other Ingredients
vegetable oil for brushing the grill
12 bacon strips
6 large Kaiser rolls, split
12 slices smoked gouda cheese 1
2 slices fresh smoked mozzarella cheese
Instructions
Prepare a medium-hot fire in a charcoal grill with a cover, or preheat a gas grill to medium-high. FOR THE KETCHUP MAYO SPREAD: Combine mayonnaise and ketchup in a small mixing bowl. Stir until thoroughly combined. FOR SPICE RUB: Combine all spice rub ingredients in a small bowl. Mix well to ensure that all ingredients are well combined and integrated throughout. Transfer mixture to a flat dish. FOR THE BACON: Using a fire-proof skillet, cook 12 bacon strips on the grill. Cook until crisp and set aside. FOR ROASTED TOMATOS AND AVOCADOS: Wrap tomatoes and avocados in foil. Place the tomatoes and avocados on center of rack and cover. Allow them to roast for 35 minutes. Remove from grill and allow them to sit for several minutes until cooled. Once they are cooled, slice each tomato, creating rounds to desired thickness. Peel the avocado and slice around the pit. FOR THE PATTIES: Shape beef into thick patties. Dredge each patty in the spice rub on both sides, ensuring that entire patty is well coated. FOR GRILLING: Brush the grill with vegetable oil. Place spice rubbed patties on the rack and cover the grill. Cook burgers to desired doneness, turning them once, about 4-6 minutes on each side for medium-rare to medium. If desired, during the last few minutes of cooking, place the Kaiser rolls, cut side down, on the outer edges of the rack to toast lightly. Immediately after removing the burgers from the grill place 2 slices each of smoked gouda and smoked mozzarella on top of the burger. ASSEMBLING THE BUGER: Place cheese topped burger on the bottom half of the Kaiser roll. Evenly spread ketchup mayo mixture on the other half of the Kaiser roll. Layer tomato, avocado and bacon on top of burger and combine the two halves.