Rachael's Daytime Talk Show
Double-Bacon Burgers with Maple-Worcestershire Onions -- 01/31/12

Double-Bacon Burgers with Maple-Worcestershire Onions

Ingredients

  • 12 slices good-quality smoky bacon, divided
  • EVOO – Extra Virgin Olive Oil, for drizzling
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 large onion
  • Coarse salt and coarse black pepper
  • 1/2 cup cloudy apple cider
  • 1/4 cup dark amber maple syrup
  • 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 1/2 pounds ground beef sirloin
  • 2 tablespoons grainy mustard
  • 8 large, thin slices Gruyère or sharp cheddar cheese
  • 4 brioche buns, sliced

Yields: 4

Preparation

Preheat oven to 375°F. Arrange 8 slices of bacon on a broiler pan and bake until crisp, 12-15 minutes. Finely chop the remaining bacon.

Step

In a skillet, heat a drizzle of EVOO over medium-high heat. Add the butter to melt. Add the onion; season with salt and pepper. Cook until softened, about 15 minutes. Add the cider, syrup and Worcestershire, and simmer at a rapid but controlled bubble, stirring frequently, for 8-10 minutes.

Step

In a bowl, combine the beef, chopped bacon, mustard and lots of pepper. Form into 4 patties that are thinner at the center than at the edges for even cooking. Drizzle with EVOO and season with salt. Preheat a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add the burgers and cook for 5 minutes on the first side. Flip and cook for 3-4 minutes on the other side for medium doneness. In the last minutes or so, top each burger with 2 slices of cheese to melt.

Step

Serve the burgers on the buns, each topped with 2 slices of crisp bacon and some of the maple onions.

Step

Serve the burgers with watercress or baby spinach salad alongside.