Country Ham Burger with Coca-Cola Vidalia Relish

Pairs well with:

Sauvignon Blanc

With hints of passion fruit, melon, and citrus, this wine beckons you to kick back and find a perfect porch swing.

The ingredients say it all!Country Ham, Vidalia Onions, Mustard Greens and Coca-Cola…can you get any more southern?

Ingredients:

Coca-Cola Vidalia Relish:
2 cups Coca-Cola
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
3 Tbs light brown sugar
2 tsp Lea and Perrins Worcestershire Sauce
3 medium Vidalia Onions
2 Tbs Colavita Olive Oil
kosher salt and black pepper to taste

Chipotle Mayonnaise:
1 cup Mayonnaise
1 Tbs Tabasco Chipotle

Patties:
2 lbs fresh ground Chuck (80% lean)
1 cup finely chopped fresh mustard greens
4 slices hickory smoked bacon, chopped very small
1 Tbs. fresh minced garlic
1/2 tsp fresh cracked black pepper

1/4 cup vegetable oil for brushing on grill
6 pieces “Biscuit Size” smoked country ham slices
6 cornmeal dusted Kaiser buns — split

Instructions:

Preheat gas grill to a medium-high heat. To make the Coca-Cola Vidalia Relish, combine Coca Cola, cider vinegar, brown sugar and Worcestershire sauce in small sauce pan and place on hot part of the grill. Bring liquid to boil and allow to reduce to one fourth the volume (20-30 minutes). While liquid is reducing, peel and slice Vidalias into 1/4″ discs. Brush with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and lay on cooler part of grill. Grill onions on both sides until light brown and very tender (approximately 5-7 minutes each side). Remove from grill, pulse in food processor, remove and mix with reduced Coke syrup. Hold at room temperature until needed.

For the Chipotle mayonnaise, whisk mayonnaise with Tabasco Chipotle, cover and hold chilled until needed.

For the patties, combine beef, mustard greens, chopped bacon, garlic, salt and pepper in large mixing bowl. Mix ingredients together being careful not to over work the meat. Brush hot grill rack with some of the vegetable oil. Form beef mixture into six patties and place on grill. Cook for 4-6 minutes on each side for medium. During the last couple of minutes of cooking the patties, grill both sides of country ham and place cut side of Kaiser buns on grill until light brown.

To assemble burgers, spread equal amounts of mayonnaise over the cut sides of buns. Place patties on bottom of buns, then place cooked country ham on top of patties. Spread equal amounts of Coca-Cola Vidalia Relish over ham, Cover with bun tops and serve.