Vermont Maple Burger with Apple-Onion Saute

Pairs well with:

Cabernet Sauvignon

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

This burger marries some flavorful ingredients with pure maple syrup, and the results are mighty good!
Although not a native, I have spent a lot of time in Vermont and made it my second home. I think Vermonters across the state would be proud to claim this burger as their own, in spite of being created by a “flatlander” such as myself.

Ingredients:

TOPPINGS:
Apple-Onion Saute:
1/2 granny smith apple (save remaining half for burgers)
1 vidalia onion
1 TBSP butter
3 TBSP pure Vermont maple syrup
Bacon:
12 slices maple-cured, maple-smoked or maple-flavor bacon
Cheese:
6 slices sharp Vermont cheddar cheese

BURGERS:
1 1/2 lbs. freshly ground chuck
1 tsp. salt
1/2 granny smith apple (reserved from above)

ACCOMPANIMENTS:
1/2 cup apple butter
1 granny smith apple, peeled, halved, sliced thin
6 hearty, whole-grain buns, halved

Instructions:

Preheat gas grill to med-high.

For the apple-onion saute: Peel the apple-half and slice thin. Peel the onion, cut in half, and slice thin. Place the apple and onion slices on a foil square. Dot with 1 TBSP butter and drizzle on maple syrup. Fold foil into a pouch and set aside.

For bacon: Arrange bacon slices in an aluminum pan approx. 11 x8 x2.

For burgers: Mix ground chuck with salt. Peel remaining 1/2 apple and grate into meat. Mix thoroughly and divide into 6 patties of equal size.

Cooking Directions: Brush grill grates with oil. Place burgers on one side of the grill. Place foil apple-onion packet and bacon pan on the other. Turn burgers after 4 minutes; turn down heat to medium after turning and continue to cook for 6 to 8 more minutes with cover down. Turn bacon strips when crisp on one side. Place cheese on burgers during last minute of cooking until just melted.. Remove apple-onion packet and bacon pan from grill. Drain bacon on paper towels if necessary. Toast both halves of buns.

ASSEMBLY:
Spread a generous amount of apple butter on each bun bottom. Place apple slices, then burger on bun. Top with two slices of crisp bacon and a heaping spoonful of apple-onion saute. Cover with bun and enjoy!