Sweet and Smokey Glazed Burgers with Braised Kale

Pairs well with:

Pinot Noir

Every pour of our Pinot Noir brings you a delicious blend of berry flavors and the romantic aroma of violet.

Ingredients

1 cup juice (such as Bossa Nova Acai or Frutzzo Pomegranate Acai)
1 cup plum sauce (Asian aisle of store)
2 teaspoon plus 2 Tablespoons minced chipotle chilies with adobo sauce, divided
4 slices of bacon, diced
1 pound kale, washed, tough stems and ribs discarded
3 green onions, white and green parts divided and minced
3 cloves garlic minced and divided
1 cup canned vegetable broth
2 pounds ground sirloin
1/2 cup Colavita Extra Virgin Olive oil, divided
2 teaspoons sea salt
6 slices Monterey Jack cheese
6 whole wheat bakery hamburger buns, split
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
6 slices ripe tomato

 

Instructions

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

To make glaze, place acai juice in small, heavy fire-proof saucepan on grill rack. Heat to a simmer and cook for 10-12 minutes, or until reduced by half. Stir in plum sauce and 2 teaspoons chipotle. Set aside.

Meanwhile, place bacon in large, heavy fire-proof skillet on grill rack. Coarsely chop kale while bacon cooks until crispy. Transfer bacon to paper towels with a slotted spoon. Pour off and discard all but 2 Tablespoons bacon drippings; add white part of onions and 1 clove garlic; sauté for 1 minute. Add kale, using tongs to turn & coat leaves; sauté until just wilted, about 1-2 minutes. Add vegetable broth; cover and cook for 8-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender. Drain and keep warm.

To make patties, combine ground sirloin, 1/4 cup olive oil, green part of onions, 2 cloves garlic, 2 Tablespoons chipotle, and salt in a large bowl. Mix gently, handling the mixture as little as possible. Form into 6 patties of equal size.

When grill is ready, brush the rack with oil. Place patties on grill rack, cover and cook for 5-7 minutes per side, basting often with glaze to desired doneness. During last 2 minutes of grilling, top patties with cheese slices. Brush cut side of buns with remaining oil and place around edges of rack to lightly toast.

To assemble burgers, spread toasted side of buns with desired amount of glaze. Stir lemon juice and bacon pieces into kale and divide evenly between bottom buns. Add cheese topped patties, tomato slices, and top of buns.

Makes 6 burgers