Spicy Bacon Jam Cheddar Burgers

Pairs well with:

White Zinfandel

With strawberry and melon essences, this American original is perfectly at home with however you like to unwind.

I saw a lot of talk about bacon jam being the new food this year.I decided to make my own version. Me & my husband and many of our family and friends like spicy foods so I thought I would go the direction of salty, smokey, hot and sweet. It worked out beautifully.

Ingredients:

Patties

1 pound ground chuck

1 pound ground sirloin

1 3/4 teaspoons seasoned salt

1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat leaf parsley

2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil

2 teaspoons minced garlic

Spicy Bacon Jam

18 slices thick cut hickory smoked bacon

1 1/4 cups chopped red onion

1 1/2 teaspoons minced garlic

1 cup grape jam

1 1/2 teaspoons honey Dijon mustard

1 1/2 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes

1/4 cup vegetable oil for brushing the grill rack

8 ounce brick smoked cheddar cheese, cut into 1/4

inch thick slices

12 dill pickle stacker slices

1 stick room temperature butter

6 Kaiser rolls, split

Instructions:

Preheat a gas grill to medium-high heat.

To make the patties add the chuck, sirloin, seasoned salt, black pepper, parsley, basil and minced garlic into a large bowl. Use a large spoon to gently combine the ingredients. Divide the meat into six equal portions, shaping each into a ball. Place each ball between two pieces of plastic wrap and use a saucer to press down forming a patty. Size should be equal to the size of the buns. Keep patties cold until ready to cook.

Heat a large, heavy nonstick skillet on the grill. Add the bacon and cook until crisp. Transfer to paper towels to drain. Chop bacon into small pieces. Set aside. Remove the bacon grease from the skillet. Add back two tablespoon to the skillet and add in chopped onions and minced garlic. Cook until tender. Stir in grape jam, honey Dijon mustard and crushed red pepper flakes. Cook four minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat and stir in bacon pieces. Cover and set aside.

Brush the grill rack with vegetable oil. Place the patties on the rack, cover and grill four minutes.

Mean while, completely butter each cut side of the buns.

After four minutes of cooking, turn the patties over. Cook two minutes, then add three slices of cheese to each patty and lay buns, buttered side down on inside outer edges of grill. Continue cooking for one minute. Remove all items from the grill.

To assemble burgers, place a cheese topped patty onto each bun bottom followed by two pickle slices. Spread bacon jam onto each bun top (about 2 1/2 tablespoons).

Add bun tops and serve.

Makes: 6 burgers