Ohio Proud Buckeye Burger

Ingredients

Ohio Amish Swiss Cheese Spread
3 tablespoons cream cheese, at room temperature
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
2 teaspoons prepared horseradish
5 pre-cooked bacon slices, crumbled
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded Big Eye or Baby Swiss cheese
1 tablespoon minced onion

Beef Patties (ratio 75% beef 25% ham)
1 1/2 pounds ground beef round (85% lean beef)
8 ounces fully cooked smoked ham, ground in food processor
1/3 cup minced sweet onion
1 cup soft breadcrumbs
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 egg

Ohio Maple Syrup and Apple Topping
2 medium tart Ohio cooking apples, peeled, cored and finely chopped
2 tablespoons water
1/2 cup Ohio maple syrup
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
2 teaspoon unsalted butter

2 to 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
6 White Whole Wheat Gourmet Hamburger Rolls, Split
3 cups torn Romaine lettuce
6 large tomato slices, about 1/4-inch thick

Instructions

Prepare a medium-hot fire in a charcoal grill with a cover, or preheat a gas grill to medium-high.

For Ohio Amish Swiss cheese spread, mash the cream cheese, mayonnaise, mustard, and horseradish in a medium bowl with a spatula until smooth. Mix in crumbled bacon, Swiss cheese and minced onion. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate.

To make the patties, in a large bowl combine ground round, ham, minced onion, breadcrumbs, salt, black pepper and egg; mix well handling as little as possible. Divide meat into 6 portions; shape portions into patties that fit the rolls. Place the patties onto a platter, cover with plastic wrap, and set aside.

For the topping heat an 8 to 10-inch fireproof skillet on the grill rack. Add apples and water; cook apples 3 to 4 minutes or till water has evaporated and apples are tender. Add maple syrup and vinegar; boil 2 minutes stirring all the while till mixture resembles thick applesauce. Remove from heat stir in butter and set aside.

For burgers, brush grill rack with vegetable oil. Place patties on rack, cover and grill for 5 to 6 minutes on one side, turn. Spread 1 tablespoon maple syrup/apple topping on each burger, cover and grill for 4 to 5 minutes more or until desired doneness. During the last 2 minutes of grilling, place buns, cut side down, on the outer edges of the rack to toast lightly.

To assemble, spread Ohio Amish Swiss cheese spread evenly on cut sides of rolls. On each roll bottom place 1/2 cup shredded lettuce; follow with maple syrup/apple topped patty and sliced tomato. Add the bun top and serve.