Sweet Sausage Waffle Burgers

Pairs well with:

Moscato

Paired or alone, there's something magical about this creamy wine that nods to yummy peaches and sinful delights.

Ingredients

Patties:
1 pound ground pork
1 pound maple flavored pork sausage
1/2 cup peeled and finely chopped granny smith apple
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon all spice
12 thick slices of peppered bacon
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
6 tablespoons maple syrup
vegetable oil for brushing on grill rack
12 frozen buttermilk waffles
6 slices sharp cheddar cheese
6 large strawberries, hulled and thinly sliced
24 large seedless red grapes, thinly sliced
1 medium red onion, thinly sliced

 

Instructions

Prepare a medium-hot fire in a charcoal grill with a cover, or preheat a gas grill to medium-high. To make the patties, combine the ground pork, maple flavored pork sausage, apple, salt, pepper, and all spice in a large mixing bowl. Handling the meat as little as possible to avert compacting it, mix well. Divide mixture into 6 equal portions and form portions into patties to fit the waffles. Refrigerate until ready to grill. Place the bacon slices in a large cast iron or fire-proof skillet and cook on the grill rack until crispy. Place bacon slices on absorbent paper to drain. When bacon is cool enough to touch, cut each slice in half to yield a total of 24 slices. In a small mixing bowl, combine the peanut butter and maple syrup, mix well. Set aside. When the grill is ready, brush the grill rack with vegetable oil. Place the patties on the rack, cover, and cook, carefully turning once, just until the juices run clear when the patties are pierced in the center, about seven minutes on each side. During the last few minutes of cooking, place the waffles around the outer edges of the rack to toast lightly. Top each patty with a slice of cheese and allow to melt slightly. To assemble the burgers, spread an equal amount of the peanut butter mixture evenly on one side of each waffle. Place equal amounts of strawberry and grape slices atop the peanut buttered sides of 6 waffles, then top those waffles with a sausage patty, followed by an equal amount of red onion slices. Add the remaining 6 waffles, peanut butter side down. Serve & enjoy!