Okey Dokey Beefed Up Southern Burgers

Pairs well with:

Cabernet Sauvignon

This rich red easily complements your homemade chicken dishes, red meats, game, and mildly seasoned pastas.

Born in Oklahoma, I grew up on simple foods;sausage, bacon, apple butter, cheese, bacon flavored salads, pecans, and lemons. These ingredients combined with beef make the best hamburgers in the world.

Ingredients:

1.75 lb of Ground Chuck
1/3 cup apple butter
Grated rind of 1lemon
1 tsp. pepper
1.5 tsp. salt
1 small onion, peeled and chopped
3 cloves of garlic
1/3 cup oatmeal

8 slices of bacon
2 large onions
1/2 cup chopped pecans

1/4 cup mayo
2-3 tsp vinegar
2-3 tsp sugar
1/4 tsp salt (or to taste)
3 cups angel hair coleslaw
1 small tart apple, peeled, cored, cut into small dice
1/2 cup cranberries

Oil

6 thick slices of cheddar cheese
6 large tomato slices, well seasoned
6 extra large sesame seed buns
6 tablespoons mustard

Instructions:


Preheat gas grill to medium hot

Place beef, apple butter, lemon, salt and pepper in large bowl.
In a small food processor, place onion, garlic, and oatmeal. Process till fine. Sprinkle over beef. Gently stir together, then form into 6 bun size patties. Cover and set aside.

Heat a large, non-stick, heavy fireproof skillet on the grill. Add bacon and cook till crisp. Remove bacon and place on paper towels to drain. When cool, chop. Remove most fat from skillet and add onion slices. Saute till wilted and slightly caramelized. Remove onions to sheet of foil and keep warm. Wipe skillet clean, add pecans, stir and cook till lightly toasted. Set aside.

In a medium bowl, combine mayo, vinegar, sugar, and salt. Mix well. Add coleslaw, apple, cranberries, and bacon. Combine well. Sprinkle toasted pecans over top. Set aside.

Brush grill with oil. Place beef patties on medium hot grill. Cover and cook for 5 min. Turn and continue cooking 3 more minutes. Place cheese slices on top. Cook until 160 degree temperature is reached.

Slice tomatoes, set aside.

Place buns, cut side down, around the edge of the grill for the last 2 min of grilling. When toasted, remove and spread with mustard. Place desired amount of onions on bun bottoms. Next place cheese topped patties, seasoned tomato slices, well tossed coleslaw, and then the bun top. Serve immediately. Makes 6 hamburgers.