COUNTRY CRACKLIN COUNTRY CRACKLIN’ BLUEGRASS BURGER WITH PIMIENTO CHEESE AND APPLE SLAW COUNTRY CRACKLIN’ BLUEGRASS BURGER WITH PIMIENTO CHEESE AND APPLE SLAW

Pairs well with:

Zinfandel

Bright and full-bodied, this Zinfandel wine is a curious contradiction in tastes.

Crackling cornbread!If you’ve never had it, you’ve got to try it. The cracklings in the burger make the burger moist with a smoky flavor and, of course, the crispy, crunchy cracklings.

Ingredients:

Patties–

1 1/2 pounds ground chuck
8 ounces pork cracklins, coarsely chopped
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly-ground black pepper

Pimiento Cheese–

2 cups grated hoop cheese (can substitute cheddar)
1/2 cup jarred pimiento peppers, drained
1/2 cup good quality mayonnaise
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/8 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper

Slaw–

2 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, coarsely grated and squeezed dry
1 teaspoon freshly-grated lemon zest
2 tablespoons freshly-squeezed lemon juice
1/2 cup good-quality mayonnaise
1/4 cup chives, minced
3 tablespoons honey
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly-grated black pepper

6 ounces, thinly-slice country ham
2 tablespoons vegetable oil

6 soft burger buns, such as potato rolls, split in half
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

Instructions:

Mix the patty ingredients together and form into six equal patties. Grill over medium-high heat 3-4 minutes per side until medium doneness.

While the patties are grilling, prepare the pimiento cheese by stirring all of the ingredients together in a medium-sized mixing bowl.

Prepare the slaw by tossing together all of the ingredients in a medium-sized mixing bowl.

Cook the country ham in a large, shallow heat-proof skillet over medium-high heat with the oil until crisp, about 4-5 minutes. Remove to paper towels to drain until ready to assemble burgers.

Brush the cut side of the buns with butter and grill for one minute until lightly toasted.

Assemble the burgers by topping the hot patty with the pimiento cheese mixture, a slice of country ham and a generous spoonful of slaw. .