Burger Poppers

Ingredients

Sassy Poper Sauce:
1/2 cup sour cream
2 T colavita extra virgin olive oil
2 T white onion, chopped
2T Cilantro leaves, chopped
4 tsp lime zest
1 tsp garlic, chopped
1/4 tsp ground Chipotle Chile Pepper spice
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground pepper
1/8 tsp red pepper flakes
1 cup mayonnaise
Cheesy Bacon Popper Filling
8 oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature
1/4 cup bacon, Hormel Premium Real Crumbled bacon
1 tsp garlic, chopped
1tsp ground Chipotle Chile Pepper spice
1/8 tsp ground cayenne pepper
1 1/2 T fresh basil, chopped
Patties:
2 1/2 lbs ground chuck
2 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground pepper
Colavita Extra Virgin olive oil for brushing the grill rack
6 Potato buns, split
3 cups chopped romaine lettuce
3 Roma Tomatoes sliced, 1/4 inch thick

Instructions

Preheat your gas grill to high.
To make Sassy Popper Sauce: combine the sour cream, olive oil, onion, cilantro, lime juice, lime zest, garlic, chipotle pepper, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes into blender. Blend until smooth. Transfer into small bowl. Whisk the mayonnaise in until smooth. Cover and chill until needed.
To make Cheesy Bacon Popper filling: the cream cheese must be soften to room temperature. Combine the cream cheese, crumbled bacon, garlic, chipotle pepper, cayenne and basil in a small bowl and mix well.
To prepare the patties: combine the chuck, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Mix together using hands. Divide the seasoned ground chick into 12 equal parts and form into patties. Place 3 tbsp of the Cheesy Bacon Popper filling in the center of 6 patties each. Take the remaining 6 patties and place over the patties with the filling. Seal the filling shut between the patties.
Brush the grill rack with olive oil. Place the patties on the grill, cover and cook for 5 minutes. turn the patties, and continue cooking for another 5 minutes. Place the buns, cut side down, on the outer edges of the rack to toast lightly during the last 2 minutes of grilling.
To assemble the burger: slather the top and bottom bun with the Sassy Popper sauce. On the bun bottoms, place 1/2 cup lettuce and 3 slices of tomatoes and then add the patty. Add the bun top and serve. Makes 6 burgers.