Garden of Eden Burger in a Bread Bowl

Ingredients

12 slices Applewood Smoked bacon, each slice cut in half
1/3 cup Sutter Home Chardonnay wine
1/4 tsp fresh ground nutmeg
1/2 cup applesauce
1 tsp fresh minced Tarragon
1 1/2 tsp sal
t 2 pounds ground chuck
6 round poppy seeded Kaiser rolls (select large, deep round rolls)
1 tablespoon vegetable oil, to oil the grill rack
6 cups field greens mix
3/4 cup premium chunky Bleu cheese dressing
1/2 tsp fresh ground black pepper
2 crisp apples, cored and sliced at least ¼ inch thick(Granny Smith, Fuji, Cameo or Pink Lady are suggested)
1/2 cup toasted chopped walnuts

Instructions

Preheat gas grill to medium high heat. To make the bacon, place the bacon in a cold cast-iron skillet in a single layer. Place the skillet on the grill to heat. Cook the bacon until golden brown and slightly crispy. Remove the bacon from the pan to a paper towel-lined tray to drain. Remove the skillet from the grill. In a large bowl whisk together the Sutter Home Chardonnay wine, nutmeg, applesauce, tarragon and salt. Add the ground chuck and mix to combine. Shape into 6 round patties, cover and set aside. Prepare bread loaves by cutting off the top and scooping the bread out of the center. Brush the hot grill with vegetable oil. Place burgers on a hot grill and cook approximately 3-5 minutes per side for medium. Meanwhile, prepare the salad by mixing the field greens with the Bleu Cheese dressing and ground pepper and mix well. Keep chilled. To assemble burgers place a cooked beef patty in the bottom of a prepared bread bowl. Top patties with 2 slices (4 halves) of bacon and 2-3 slices of apple. Top with about 1 cup of the prepared salad and sprinkle each evenly with walnuts. Cover with the bread bowl “lid” and serve.