Honey Pepper Bacon, Faux Tartare Burgers with Ham and Double Cheese

Pairs well with:

Pinot Noir

Every pour of our Pinot Noir brings you a delicious blend of berry flavors and the romantic aroma of violet.

Ingredients

2 pounds ground chuck
2 oz. or slightly less of capers rinsed and finely chopped
1 onion finely chopped, preferably a red onion
2 tsp. ketchup
2 tsp. Dijon mustard, preferably Grey Poupon
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
Several dashes of Louisiana Hot Sauce
1 oz. Cognac
1 whole egg
1/2 cup good quality mayonnaise
2 oz. or slightly less of dill pickles finely chopped, preferably Vlasic
2 Tbsp. prepared horseradish
12 slices of good quality bacon brushed with honey and sprinkled with fresh ground black pepper
6 slices of good quality cooked ham
6 slices of cheddar cheese preferably Vermont or a good quality cheddar cheese
6 slices of swiss cheese, preferably Gruyère or a good quality swiss cheese
6 soft Kaiser rolls or good quality hamburger buns
Vegetable oil for brushing grill rack
Salt, preferably Kosher
Pepper, preferably fresh ground

 

Instructions

Prepare a medium-hot fire in a charcoal grill with a cover, or preheat a gas grill to medium high.

Mix ground chuck, capers, onion, ketchup, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, Louisiana hot sauce, cognac and egg thoroughly in a large bowl. Form the mixture into 12 patties. Place a slice of swiss cheese on top of 6 patties. Cover each of these with the remaining 6 patties. Form each into one burger and seal securely so the cheese will not melt out during the cooking process. (This is not that difficult or time consuming and is most certainly rewarding and worth the extra effort.)

In a bowl, thoroughly mix the mayonnaise, chopped dill pickles and horseradish.

In a non-stick skillet or on the grill cook the bacon. In a non-stick skillet or on the grill, warm the ham.

Spread both sides of the Kaiser roll or hamburger buns with the mayonnaise mixture. Season the burgers with salt and pepper. Cook the burgers for 4-5 minutes on one side. Turn and cook for 4-5 minutes on the other side. After approximately 1-2 minutes, place a slice of ham on each burger. Then place 2 slices of bacon crossways on each burger, so as to cover more of the surface area. Place a slice of cheddar cheese on top of the ham and bacon on each burger. Place the top of the Kaiser roll or hamburger bun on top of each burger. Remove each burger with a spatula and place on the bottom Kaiser roll or hamburger bun.