“Monster” Muenster Burger

Ingredients

Vegetable oil for brushing the grill
2 tbsp no salt butter
2 medium onions sliced
2 shallots, chopped
3 tbsp chopped fresh basil
2 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
4 tbsp Sutter Home Cabernet Sauvignon wine
2 pounds ground chuck (80% lean)
12 slices pre-cooked bacon
6 slices Muenster cheese
6 tsp butter
6 Onion hamburger buns

Instructions

Brush grill with vegetable oil. Preheat gas grill to medium high heat. Using a grill proof 10" pan, melt the 2 tbsp butter over medium heat. Decrease the heat to low on that side of the grill and add the onions to the pan. Cook onions until caramelized about 30-40 minutes stirring occasionally. While onions are cooking, in a large bowl, mix the shallots, basil, salt, pepper and wine with the ground chuck trying to handle the meat as little as possible but to mix the ingredients. Form the ground chuck into 6 equal sized patties and place on the grill on medium high heat. Cook the patties for 6-7 minutes on each side for medium burgers turning only once. Check the patties with a meat thermometer which should register 160 degrees F. While the meat is cooking remove the onions from the pan and place on a plate and cover with foil to keep warm. Place the 12 slices of bacon in the pan and cook for about 30 seconds and then place on a plate covering bacon with foil. When the patties are close to being done (about 2 minutes from being done) place one of the six slices of Muenster cheese on each burger let the cheese melt. Remove the burgers from the grill and place on a plate and lightly cover with foil. Reduce the grill heat to low. Take the 6 hamburger buns and split in half. Take one tbsp of the butter and spread the bun, repeat with the other buns (one tbsp butter per bun). Place the buns on the grill and grill until buns are lightly browned. To assemble the burgers: Take one bun and place the burger with the melted cheese on the bottom half of the bun. Then place 2 slices of the bacon on the burger followed by the caramelized onions (equally divided among the burgers) and then top with the other half of the bun. Serve and enjoy!!