Bedlam Bash Barbecue Burgers

The rivalry between Oklahoma’s two largest universities is commonly known as Bedlam. When the time comes each year for the OU Sooners and the OSU Cowboys to play football or basketball, team colors are seen not only on game day, but weeks in advance; red for the Sooners and orange for the Cowboys. Burgers are the favorite tailgate and party food for these Bedlam events and this burger is perfect for the occasion. Oklahoma ground beef with red and orange bell peppers. Red mayonnaise and orange mustard. Even the bun tops signify OU or OSU. Oklahoma sports food at its finest. Bedlam Burgers!

Ingredients:

2 lb. ground chuck
2 tablespoons finely chopped red bell pepper
2 tablespoons finely chopped orange bell pepper
1 teaspoon kosher salt
2 teaspoons Head Country Barbecue Seasoning
2 tablespoons Jack Daniel’s Original No. 7 Recipe Barbecue Sauce
2 tablespoons vegetable oil for brushing grill rack
½ cup mayonnaise
2 oz. red food coloring, divided
½ cup Heinz Yellow Mustard
2 oz. orange food coloring
6 smooth-topped hamburger buns, split
6 (1 oz.) slices white American cheese
2 cups thinly sliced iceberg lettuce
2/3 cup finely chopped purple onion
6 (1/4-inch thick) large tomato slices
18 kosher dill pickle slices

Instructions:

Preheat a gas grill to medium-high heat. To make the patties, combine the beef, red and orange bell peppers, salt, seasoning and barbecue sauce in a large bowl. Handling as little as possible, shape into 6 patties. Brush the grill rack with vegetable oil. Place the patties on the rack. Cover and cook for 5-7 minutes per side for medium or to desired doneness, turning once. In a small bowl, stir mayonnaise and 4-5 drops of red food coloring together. In another small bowl, stir mustard and 1-2 drops red food coloring together to make mustard orange. Dip a small paintbrush into remaining red coloring and write OU on three of the bun tops. Rinse brush and dip into orange coloring and write OSU on remaining three bun tops. Top the patties with the cheese during the last 2 minutes of grilling. Place the buns, cut side down, on the outer edges of the grill rack during the last minute of grilling to lightly toast.To assemble the burgers, spread the bottom halves of the toasted buns with the mustard. Divide lettuce and onion onto each. Add a tomato slice, a cheese-topped patty, and three pickle slices to each. Add bun tops. Serve immediately. Serves 6, three OU fans and three OSU fans.