Cajun Cocoa BBQ Burgers

Pairs well with:

White Zinfandel

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

Ingredients

Garlic Infused Olive Oil
3 garlic cloves, peeled and cut in half
1/3 cup Colavita extra virgin olive oil
Cajun Cocoa BBQ Sauce
1 tablespoon light brown sugar
1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 cup  ketchup
1 teaspoon chocolate syrup
1 1/2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
Patties
1 pound ground chuck
1 pound ground sirloin
2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
Vegetable oil for brushing grill rack
6 soft Kaiser rolls, split
6 slices sharp Cheddar cheese
6 green lettuce leaves
6 slices red onion

 

Instructions

To make the garlic infused oil, place the garlic halves in a glass jar. Add the olive oil and cover with a lid or plastic wrap. Set aside at room temperature until ready to toast the rolls. Prepare a medium hot fire in a charcoal grill with a cover or preheat a gas grill to medium high. To make the BBQ sauce, combine brown sugar, hot peppe sauce, Worcestershire, ketchup, chocolate syrup and Cajun seasoning in a non-reactive bowl. Mix well to combine. Cover and set aside. To make the patties, combine the ground chuck, ground sirloin, Cajun seasoning and 1/4 cup of the Cajun Cocoa BBQ Sauce (as prepared above) in a large bowl. Reserve the remaining BBQ Sauce for topping the grilled burgers. Handling the meat as little as possible to assure tender patties, mix well. Divide the mixture into 6 equal portions and form into patties to fit the rolls. Brush the grill rack with vegetable oil. Place the patties on the rack and grill approximately 6 minutes until the bottoms are browned. During this time, brush the cut side of the rolls lightly with the garlic infused olive oil. Turn the patties and continue grilling, covered, approximately 5 minutes longer for medium. During the last few minutes of grilling, place the rolls, cut side down, on the outer edges or the cooler portions of the grill rack to toast lightly. Place a Cheddar slice on top of each patty and keep covered to melt, approximately 1-2 minutes. To assemble the burgers, place a leaf of lettuce on each roll bottom, a patty with melted cheddar, a generous portion of the reserved Cajun Cocoa BBQ Sauce, and a slice of red onion. Add the roll top and serve.