Essential Cheeseburger With Caramelized Onions

Ingredients:

2 pound ground sirloin
1 T. Worcestershire sauce
1 T. steak sauce, such as A-1
1 tsp. smoked paprika
1 tsp. cayenne pepper
1 tsp. ground black pepper
1 tsp. ground cumin
1 cup Essential Red barbecue sauce (see recipe)
2 large yellow onions, preferably Walla Walla sweets
4 strips thick cut bacon, cooked
4 slices sharp cheddar cheese
Lettuce
Tomato, sliced

4 large hamburger buns

Olive oil, butter and salt & pepper

Cooking Instructions:

To make your onions, peel and slice into ¼” thick rings. Separate with your fingers.
In a large frying pan, combine 2 T. olive oil and butter over medium heat.
Add the onions and allow to caramelize, slowly, stirring every few minutes. When the onions are a little deeper than golden brown, remove from heat and salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.
Preheat your grill to high heat.
Combine the first seven ingredients in a bowl. Mix with your hands to combine but do not over mix.
Form the beef into 4 patties, a bit larger than your bun. (Make a slight indentation in the center of each burger with your thumb…it will keep it flat!)
Grill until golden brown and slightly charred, about 4 minutes, then turn and cook for another 2-3 minutes. Do not press down on the burger with your spatula…you’ll squeeze out all the yummy juices!
When you pull the burgers off the grill, top with 2 T. of the caramelized onions, then top with a slice of cheddar cheese.
Toast your buns on indirect heat for a few minutes.
When ready, place lettuce and tomato on the bun, topped with the burger, onions and cheese. Ladle a generous few tablespoons of Essential barbecue sauce onto the burger then top with the bun.

Recipe Notes

Fall is the best time of year to hit the grill… be it a tailgating party before the big game or a weekend with friends enjoying a visit. A little prep work to create this mouthwatering barbecue sauce makes this whole burger just melt in your mouth. (Save some for dipping your fries into!) Polish off the last of the season’s warm weather with this burger and a glass of Bogle Essential Red. (Serves 4.)

Suggested Wine Pairing

Serve with oven baked fries, sweet potato fries or a garden fresh salad. Enjoy a glass of 2013 Essential Red alongside…cheers from the Bogle family!