Candied Bacon Maple Cheddar Burger

Ingredients

Candied Bacon

• 1 lb thick cut applewood smoked bacon
• ½ cup light brown sugar
• ½ tsp fresh ground black pepper

Caramelized onions

• 3 Tbsp butter
• 1 tsp granulated sugar
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 Tbsp maple syrup
• 1 large yellow onion, sliced thinly

Maple BBQ sauce

• 1 cup ketchup
• 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
• ½ cup real maple syrup
• 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1½ tsp hot sauce ( I used Chipotle Tabasco)
• 1 tsp garlic powder

Burger

• 2 lbs ground beef ( I like to use 80/20 in burgers)
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp fresh ground black pepper
• 8 slices sharp cheddar cheese
• 8 buns, toasted if desired

Instructions

1. Prepare the candied bacon first.
2. Preheat oven to 375°. Line a large baking sheet (with sides) with foil. Place a baking rack on top of the foil (I actually used a cooling rack).
3. Whisk together light brown sugar and pepper in a small bowl
4. Line bacon on rack. Spread sugar mixture evenly over bacon.
5. Bake for 20-25 minutes, turning pan once throughout baking.
6. When done, remove pan from oven and allow bacon to cool on rack.

Caramelized Onions

1. Heat butter in medium skillet over medium low heat. Add onions, salt and sugar and cook for 20-25 minutes until onions are golden brown and soft.

Maple BBQ sauce

1. Mix all ingredients in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer and allow sauce to cook for 20-30 minutes, stirring frequently. Allow to cool.

Burgers

1. Mix meat and salt and pepper in a bowl. Divide mixture into 8 equal portions and form into patties.
2. Grill burgers for 4-5 minutes on each side.
3. Immediately top with a slice of cheese and allow to melt. Remove burger from grill and assemble, but topping with BBQ sauce, caramelized onions and candied bacon.
4. Source: countryliving.com

Campire Burgers

INGREDIENTS

Caramelized Onions

• 2 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 large Vidalia onion, sliced
• Pinch of salt
• ½ teaspoon balsamic vinegar

Campfire Sauce

• ¼ cup regular mayonnaise
• ¼ cup barbecue sauce
• ⅛ teaspoon liquid smoke

Burgers

• 1 pound ground beef
• ¼ cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
• 2 teaspoon worcestershire sauce
• ½ teaspoon liquid smoke
• ½ teaspoon salt
• Pinch of freshly cracked black pepper
• 4 hamburger buns

INSTRUCTIONS

Caramelized Onions

1. Warm olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions, season with salt and stir to coat with oil. Cook, stirring occasionally until onions are brown and caramelized, about 20 minutes. Stir in balsamic vinegar and cook for another 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.

Campfire Sauce

1. In a small bowl mix mayonnaise, barbecue sauce and liquid smoke until creamy. Refrigerate until ready to use.

Burgers

1. In a large bowl mix ground beef, cheese, bacon, worcestershire, liquid smoke, salt and pepper until combined.
2. Form into 4 equal sized patties.
3. Preheat grill or skillet with olive oil over medium-high heat.
4. Add patties and cook for about 6-7 minutes. Flip, and cook for another 6-7 minutes until cooked thoroughly.
5. Assemble burgers on toasted buns topped with caramelized onions and campfire sauce.
6. Source: countryliving.com

Buffalo-Blue Curly Cheese Fry and Crispy Black Bean Burgers

Ingredients

• Fries (Or 1 bag frozen Curly Cut or Shoe String Fries)
• 3 pounds unpeeled russet potatoes
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 teaspoons seasoned salt (or more to your liking)
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• Burgers
• 2 cups cooked quinoa
• 1 1/2 cups black beans, mashed
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 1/3-1/2 cup buffalo sauce (I used 1/2 cup)*
• 1 clove garlic, grated
• 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon salt + peper
• 1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese (optional)
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 6 of your favorite burger buns, toasted
• sliced avocado, crumbled blue cheese, chopped green onions, butter lettuce
• Buffalo Cheese Sauce
• 1 stick (8 tablespoons) butter
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 1/4 cups milk
• 3 ounces cream cheese (reduced fat is fine)
• 8 ounces freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese
• 1/3-1/2 cup Franks red hot sauce
• 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper


Instructions

In a bowl combine the quinoa, mashed black beans, egg, buffalo sauce, garlic, cilantro, salt and pepper. Mix well to moisten the ingredients and then mix in the shredded cheddar cheese. Mix well again and form into 5-6 equal burger balls (I made 6). Stuff the blue cheese into the center of each ball and form the mixture around the blue cheese to make round patties. Cover and place in the fridge.

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.

Using a vegetable spiralizer, spiralize the potatoes into curly cut fries. Then cut the fries into smaller sections. You may also just slice the fires into very thin matchsticks if you do not have a spiralizer. Place the potatoes in a large bowl and drizzle with oil, seasoned salt and pepper. Toss with your hands or two spatulas to evenly coat. Spread onto two baking sheets in one layer. Roast for 10-15 minutes, then toss and roast for 15-20 minutes more. This may take longer depending on how thick your potatoes are spiralized or cut. Mine were very thin (which was SO GOOD), so they cooked quick. You want the potatoes to be deeply golden and crispy on the outside!

About 15 minutes before the the fries are done, heat a skillet over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil. Grab the burgers and cook until golden and crisp, about five minutes per side. My burgers were not crumbly at all and very easy to flip. Keep warm.

To make the buffalo cheese sauce heat a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the butter, and once it’s melted and bubbly add the flour. Whisk together to create a roux and cook for 1-2 minutes until mixture gets a bit golden in color. Add milk, stir and turn down heat to low. Continue stirring until milk thickens. Add in the cheddar cheese and continue to stir until mixture is smooth. Stir in hot sauce and seasoned salt and pepper. Taste and add more hot sauce if desired.

To assemble the burgers place some lettuce on each toasted burger bun bottom and then add the burger. Add a few avocado slices and then a handful of fries. Spoon the cheese sauce over the fries and sprinkle with blue cheese + green onions. Top with the burger bun. Start eating!

Source: countryliving.com