Smokehouse Sliders with Smoked Green Olive Mayo and Arugula

Pairs well with:

Zinfandel

Bright and full-bodied, this Zinfandel wine is a curious contradiction in tastes.

Ingredients:

Smoked Green Olive Mayo
2 Tbls Spanish Green Olives, stuffed with pimento (about 10), minced
2 Green Onions, minced
1/2 cup Mayonaisse
2-3 drops liquid smoke
Pinch of freshly cracked pepper

Slider Patties
2 lbs. Sirloin Steak, trimmed, cut into 1 1/2 inch cubes
1/2 lb. Sliced Smoked Bacon (about 8 slices), cut into 2 inch pieces
2 Tsp Salt
2 Tsp Pepper

Vegetable Oil, for brushing on the grill rack
12 Fresh Bakery Dinner Rolls, split
2 Tbls Butter, softened
3 large slices Smoked Fontina Cheese, cut into quarters
2 cups fresh Arugula, washed and dried

Instructions:

Prepare a medium heat fire in a charcoal grill with a cover, or preheat a gas grill to medium heat. The grill heat should be lower than usual for preparing typical burgers.

To make the mayonnaise, combine the ingredients in a small bowl and mix well. Cover and refrigerate until needed.

To make the patties, place the steak and bacon in the food processor and pulse 10 times. Do this in two batches and add to a large bowl. Add the salt and pepper and mix lightly but thoroughly. Use a 2 ounce ice cream scoop to portion the meat mixture and form into 12 patties.

When the grill is ready, brush the grill rack with vegetable oil. Place the patties on the rack and cook, turning once, until done, 5 to 7 minutes on each side. The low and slow cooking method ensures the bacon will render properly to create juicy, tender burgers. While burgers are cooking, lightly spread the bakery rolls with butter. During the last few minutes of cooking, place the rolls, cut side down, on the outer edges of the rack to toast lightly. During the last minute of cooking, top each patty with a cheese slice.

To assemble the burgers, spread mayonnaise on the cut side of the roll tops and sprinkle with the fresh arugula leaves. Place a burger patty on each of the roll bottoms and add the tops. Prepare your mouth for the best “bacon cheeseburger” you’ve ever tasted.

Makes 6 servings of 2 sliders each.