Wilhelm Tell Apfelschuss Burger

Pairs well with:

Chardonnay

Reach for our Chardonnay when you’re in the mood for a rich and creamy wine that delights with the fruity flair of pear, apple, and peach.

I live in the Willamette Valley in Oregon. Every year, in the nearby town Mt. Angel, Oktoberfest is celebrated. The area was settled by many Swiss and German pioneers. Bratwurst and Cheese dishes are served at the festival and also year round in local restaurants. The Swiss and German traditions and food became much localized in that area. Since I am of Swiss origin myself I came up with this Wilhelm Tell Apfelschuss burger.

Ingredients:

Sauce:

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1/2 cup Grey Poupon Country Dijon mustard

6 apple slices, peeled and cored (1/2-inch thick)

1 1/2 cup Sutter Home Chardonnay

6 thick slices of pepper bacon

2 tablespoons Colavita olive oil

Burger:

6 fresh rosemary twigs, 10 inches long

2 packages Johnsonville Brats Original Bratwurst (19.76oz. each)

1 tablespoon fresh chopped basil

2 cups peeled shredded apples

1/4 cup diced onions

1 teaspoon paprika

6 slices Gruyere cheese

1 tablespoon Colavita olive oil

6 split hamburger buns

1 1/2 tablespoons paprika

Instructions:

Combine mayonnaise and mustard for the sauce. Set aside.

Place apple slices into a shallow dish. Pour wine over it and marinate for 10 minutes.

Preheat gas grill.

Place bacon into a cast-iron skillet and cook on hot grill until crisp.

Remove from grill, cut bacon strips in half and keep warm.

Remove apple slices from wine and brush with olive oil. Grill until done, on medium heat about 2-3 minutes per side. Set aside and keep warm.

Carefully remove rosemary leaves in the middle section of 6 twigs and leave some on both ends to resemble an arrow. Set arrows aside. Chop some of the rosemary leaves to make 1 tablespoon.

Remove casings from bratwurst and discard. Mix bratwurst with chopped rosemary and basil. Add shredded apples, onions and paprika. Mix until incorporated. Form patties to fit the buns.

Grill patties on gas grill on medium heat until done, about 5-7 minutes per side. Place cheese on burgers for the last few seconds.

Brush olive oil on hamburger bun tops. Sprinkle paprika over it to coat. Brush some more oil over paprika. Lightly toast split buns on grill for a few seconds.

To assemble burgers, spread sauce on bottom and top buns. Add burger, apple slice and bacon to each bun. Add rosemary arrow followed by bun top.

Makes 6 burgers