3986. CHIPOTLE BACON SLIDERS (GLUTEN & GRAIN FREE)

Serves: 9 small burgers


1 large yellow onion, sliced into thin rounds

2 TBS butter, ghee, or coconut oil

1 pound ground meat

4 strips of precooked bacon

1 tsp unrefined salt

½ tsp chipotle chili powder

½ tsp chili powder

1 tsp cumin powder

1 TBS butter, ghee, or coconut oil for cooking burgers

1 avocado

lime juice

unrefined sea salt

OPTIONAL:

a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce

lettuce for garnish

TO MAKE CARAMELIZED ONIONS: Melt the ghee, butter, or coconut oil on medium heat. Add onion rounds and saute slowly until golden brown. Push the onions around a bit to make sure they cook evenly. You can add a tablespoon of water if they begin to stick to pan. Mine usually take 20-25 minutes.

Mash together avocado, lime, and salt in a small bowl. Add optional hot sauce for some heat. Set aside.

Combine ground meat, chopped bacon, salt, and spices in a medium bowl. Mix to combine. Form into 9 small patties.

Heat 1 TBS of fat of choice in skillet on medium to medium high heat. Cook patties 4-5 minutes on each side, or until cooked the way you like it.

Serve over a bed of fresh lettuce. Top with caramelized onions and avocado.

bacon recipe source: Katja Heino, Savory Lotus

3973. BACON and CURRANT PORK BURGERS with SPICY ORANGE DRESSING

1 lb ground pork

¼ cup dried currants

8 strips bacon, diced

1 orange, peeled and diced

1 8oz can green chiles

½ 7oz can coconut milk

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon onion powder

½ teaspoon ground mustard

¼ teaspoon paprika

salt and pepper to taste

1 garlic clove, minced

1 tablespoon fat of choice

First, heat up your grill. If you are not using a grill, forget this step.

Now dice up your bacon. Maybe to 1 inch long strips/rectangles and throw them in a deep frying pan over medium-high heat.

While the bacon cooks, add your ground pork, currants, and spices to a bowl and mix together. Once the bacon is done cooking, add the cooled bacon to the mixture and mix all together.

Form into patties, however big you would like, and throw those little suckers on your hot grill. If you are not using a grill and just want to use your frying pan, pour the excess bacon fat into a jar/can to use later and add your pork burgers directly to that hot pan. They will need to cook for about 5-6 minutes/side depending how thick you made them and where you decide to cook them.

While the burgers cook on grill or pan, pull out a smaller saute pan, and add your fat of choice along with your minced garlic clove and heat up under medium-high heat.

Once the garlic smell fills the air, add your coconut milk, oranges, and green chiles to the mixture.

Add a bit of salt and pepper to the mix and stir. Turn the heat down low and let simmer for about 3-4 minutes.

Once the burgers are cooked through, top them off with the spicy orange dressing.

bacon recipe source: Juli Bauer, paleomg.com (@paleOMG), June 20, 2011

3611. CHICKEN with BACON MINI BURGER in HOISIN SAUCE

5 slices bacon 
2 cups minced chicken 
1 cup grated carrot 
1/2 cup bread crumbs 
1 tablespoon light soy sauce 
1 dash salt and pepper 
1 tablespoon sesame oil 
2 cloves garlic 
3 small diced pearl onion

Garnish 
1 cup grated carrot 
1 tablespoon hoisin sauce

Basting 
2 tablespoons hoisin sauce

Make mini patties: Mix mince chicken and fine dice bacon with dice garlic and onion with light soy sauce. Add carrot and bread crumbs and seasoning with sesame oil mix well. Shape 6 mini ball then lightly flatten it then brush it with hoisin sauce. In pan with little oil pan grill both side of the mini burger. Put on parchment paper and bake at 200 C / 400°F for 20 to 25 minutes or longer depending on the size of the burger. Serve with fresh grated carrot and top additional hoisin sauce.


bacon recipe source: Lee Goh (member), Allthecooks.com, January 10 2014

3583. BARBACOA SLIDERS with BACON JAM

makes 24 sliders


2 dozen slider buns
2 tablespoons butter, melted
bacon jam (recipe below)
braised beef cheeks (recipe below)
pickled onion (recipe below)
1 bunch cilantro leaves
½ cup cotija cheese, grated
2 jalapenos, thinly sliced with stems removed
salt, to taste

For the braised beef cheeks:
5 lbs. beef cheeks
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 carrot, sliced into ½” rounds
1 stick celery, sliced into ½” slices
1 medium onion, sliced
½ tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon Ancho chile powder
1 bottle red wine
2 cups demi glace
1 small stick cinnamon
1 clove
6 cloves garlic, crushed
1 tablespoon chipotle en adobo

For the pickled onion:
1 red onion, peeled and sliced thinly
1 tablespoon salt
1 cup cider vinegar
1 tablespoon vegetable oil

For the bacon jam:
1 red onion, sliced
8 garlic cloves, crushed lightly
2 large tomatoes, diced large
1 lb. bacon, cooked until crisp, with fat drained
¼ cup molasses
¼ cup brown sugar
¼ cup balsamic vinegar
salt, paprika and black pepper to taste

For the braised beef cheeks: Heat a large saucepan, over high heat. Pour in the vegetable oil and sear the cheeks to a nice brown. Add the vegetables and cook until lightly coloured. Add the cumin and ancho chile powder and toast for about a minutes. Deglaze with red wine, then add all of the remaining ingredients.

For the pickled onion: In a small bowl, season the sliced onion heavily with salt. Let sit for about 15 minutes then rinse the salt off with water. Strain the onion. Pour cider vinegar over the onions, and toss. Let sit for another 15 minutes then strain. Add a little vegetable oil and toss until shiny. Reserve.

For the bacon jam: Add all ingredients to a large pot and cook for about 30 to 45 minutes at a gentle simmer. Pour into the bowl of a food processor and blend until only small chunks remain. Serve on top of our as a side with beef sliders.

To assemble, slice slider buns in half and brush each side with melted butter. Toast until lightly golden. Warm beef cheeks in a saucepan, with a little of the braising jus. Season to taste with salt. Spread a spoonful of the bacon jam onto the bottom bun and place a little of the beef cheeks on top. Top with pickled onion slices, cilantro leaves and sprinkle with cotija cheese. Cover with the top bun, and place a thin slice of jalapeno on top.


bacon recipe source: TRIO (@TRIOAustin), 98 San Jacinto Boulevard, Austin, Texas 78701 

3424. QUESO BLANCO BACON BURGERS with WATERMELON and TOMATO SALSA FRESCA

makes six burgers

1 seeded serrano chile, minced
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon grated lime zest
2 tablespoons lime juice
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup diced watermelon
1/2 cup diced, seeded tomato
1/4 cup diced red onion
1/4 cup minced cilantro
6 slices bacon, diced
2 lbs ground chuck
4 oz. queso blanco (or Monterey Jack) cheese, grated
1/4 cup minced cilantro
2 cloves garlic, minced
1-2 minced chipotle chili peppers in adobo sauce
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
3 tablespoons vegetable oil, for brushing grill rack
8 oz. queso blanco (or Monterey Jack) cheese, grated
6 bakery hamburger buns, split
6 leaves Bibb or Boston lettuce

Preheat a gas grill to medium-high heat, or prepare a medium-hot fire in a charcoal grill with a cover.
Combine chile, garlic, lime zest, lime juice, sugar, and salt in a medium non-reactive bowl and mix well. Stir in watermelon, tomato, onion, and cilantro. Cover and refrigerate while preparing burgers.

Place bacon in a large, heavy non-stick fire-proof skillet on the grill; cook until crisp. Reserving dripping, use slotted spoon to transfer bacon pieces to paper towels. Place ground chuck, cheese, cilantro, garlic, chipotle pepper, salt, black pepper, and bacon pieces in a large bowl; drizzle with 2 Tablespoons reserved bacon drippings. Mix lightly, handling as little as possible. Shape into 6 patties to fit buns.

When grill is ready, brush grill rack with oil. Place patties on the rack and cover. Cook, turning once, until done to preference; about 5-7 minutes per side for medium. Sprinkle cheese on patties during last 3 minutes of grilling. Place buns, cut side down, around outer edges of grill during last 2 minutes of grilling.

To assemble burgers, place lettuce on buns, top with equally divided salsa fresca, followed by patties. Add bun tops and serve.


bacon recipe source: Sutter Home Family Vineyards, 277 St. Helena Hwy (Hwy 29), South St. Helena, CA 94574

3352. CHICKEN and BACON KORMA BURGER

makes four burgers


1 lb. dark chicken meat, skinned and cut into chunks

4 slices bacon, cut into chunks
1/2 large onion, cut into rough chunks
3 tablespoons korma paste
1/3 cup dried breadcrumbs

 

Put onions into food processor and blitz until very finely chopped. Put into a large bowl. Put the chopped up chicken and bacon into the food processor and pulse until they are minces and combined. You want it pretty fine but stop before they become a total paste. Put meat mixture into the bowl with the onions. Add the korma paste and breadcrumbs. Work the mixture together with your hands until it is fully combined and the paste is evenly distributed. Form into four patties. Fry patties in a skillet with a little canola oil for about 5 minutes each side or until cooked through. You could also do this on a Foreman type grill and save yourself those calories. Serve.

bacon recipe source: Sarah_Jayne (member), Food.com/Indian Recipes, December 22, 2008

3308. BACON and CHEESE CURD BURGER

makes four servings 


4 thick bacon slices 
1/4 cup packed brown sugar 
2 lb. 85% lean ground chuck or 90% lean ground sirloin 
3/4 cup cheese curds or string cheese, chopped
salt and ground black pepper 
4 good quality hamburger buns 
4 1/4 - inch thick slices ripe tomato (optional) 
4 thin slices white onion (optional) 
4 Iceberg lettuce leaves (optional) 

Place bacon slices on the unheated rack of a broiler pan. Sprinkle each slice with brown sugar. Bake in a 450º F oven for 10 minutes or until crisp. When cool enough to handle, chop bacon; set aside.  

Divide beef into eight equal portions. Pat beef portions into patties approximately 4 inches in diameter and about 3/4-inch thick. 

Equally divide and place the bacon and 3 tablespoons of the cheese curds in the middle of four of the patties, leaving 1/2 inch around the edge of the patty. Top each with the remaining 4 patties. Pinch edges of top and bottom patties together to form one large burger patty. Chill, covered, in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour. 

Season burgers with salt and black pepper. For a charcoal grill, place the patties on the well-oiled rack of an uncovered grill directly over medium coals for 10 minutes. Turn with a wide spatula and grill 10 to 12 minutes more, until meat is cooked and an instant-read thermometer inserted into patties registers 160º F. Toast buns, cut side down, on grill during last 1 to 2 minutes of grilling.

To serve, place a cooked burger on bottom half of each bun. If you like, top each with tomato, onion, and lettuce.


bacon recipe source: Midwest Living.com

3219. PORK BURGERS with BACON MARMALADE

yields four servings


4 slices bacon, chopped

1 large onion, chopped
1 teaspoon hot sauce, plus more to taste
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon red wine vinegar, plus more for drizzling
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
1 1/4 pounds ground pork
2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
4 slices Swiss cheese
4 hamburger buns, split and toasted
1 romaine lettuce heart, thinly sliced
2 medium tomatoes (1 sliced, 1 chopped)

 

Make the bacon marmalade: Cook the bacon in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until almost crisp, 5 minutes. Pour out half of the drippings, add the onion to the skillet and cook, stirring, until the onion browns, 10 more minutes (add a splash of water if the onion sticks). Stir in the hot sauce, sugar, vinegar, and salt and pepper to taste.

Form the pork into four 4-inch-wide patties; season with salt and pepper. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then add the patties and cook 4 to 5 minutes per side, topping each with a slice of cheese about 3 minutes before they're done.

Spread the bacon marmalade on the bun bottoms and top each with some lettuce, a patty, a tomato slice and a bun top.

Drizzle the remaining lettuce and the chopped tomato with olive oil and vinegar, and season with salt and pepper; toss. Serve with the burgers.

 

 

bacon recipe courtesy of: Food Network Kitchens, Food Network Magazine

3104. BLT CHICKEN BURGERS

makes four servings 


1 pound ground chicken, preferably a mixture of 1/2 white and 1/2 dark meat  
1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon minced garlic  
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 
1/3 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh basil 
1 tablespoon each fresh lemon juice and finely shredded lemon zest 
4 onion kaiser rolls, split 
8 strips bacon (about 8 oz.), cooked until crisp
1 large tomato, thinly sliced
4 leaves romaine lettuce

Prepare a charcoal or gas grill for medium heat (350° to 450°; you can hold your hand 5 in. above cooking grate only 5 to 7 seconds).

Meanwhile, in a large bowl, gently mix chicken, cheeses, garlic, salt, and pepper. Form into 4 burgers about 3/4 in. thick, making a slight depression in center of each patty (this helps keep burgers flat as they cook). Put on a plate, cover, and refrigerate until ready to grill.

In a blender, whirl mayonnaise, basil, lemon juice, and lemon zest together and refrigerate until ready to use. With a silicone brush or oiled paper towels, lightly oil cooking grate.

Grill burgers, covered, turning once, until browned and no longer pink inside (cut to test), 8 to 10 minutes total. Transfer burgers to a clean plate and place buns, cut sides down, on grill until lightly browned, 30 seconds.

Spread toasted sides of buns with basil mayonnaise. Set a chicken patty on each bun bottom and top each with 2 strips bacon, a tomato slice, and a lettuce leaf. Cover with bun top.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Sunset Magazine, August 2008 

2704. DOUBLE CHEESE, AVOCADO and BACON SLIDERS

serves eight 


4 strips bacon 
1 lb. lean ground beef
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon marjoram
8 mini hamburger buns or small Hawaiian-style sweet rolls, split and toasted if desired
2 cups baby arugula 
2 oz. cheddar cheese, shredded 
1 ripe, fresh avocado, seeded and peeled 
2 oz. smoked Gouda cheese, sliced to fit buns 

Cut bacon strips in half crosswise and cook until crisp. Place cooked bacon on paper towels; reserve. Gently mix ground beef with soy sauce, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder and marjoram. Being careful not to compact the meat, gently form into thin burger patties that are slightly wider than the buns. Grill or pan fry patties over medium-high heat, about 3 to 4 minutes per side, or until cooked through. Meanwhile, slice each avocado half crosswise to make 2 small slices per slider; reserve. Assemble the sliders: top the bottom half of each mini bun with the arugula and shredded cheddar cheese. Place burger patties on top of the shredded cheese; top each with bacon, Gouda cheese, 2 slices of avocado and the top bun.


bacon recipe courtesy of: The Hass Avocado Board, 230 Commerce, Suite 190, Irvine, California 92602-1336

2639. STUFFED MAPLE BURGER with SPICY APPLE BACON COMPOTE

makes two burgers 


Spicy Apple Bacon Compote
1 slice of bacon, chopped
1 medium apple, peeled, cored & chopped
2 tablespoons maple syrup
2 tablespoons water
1/2 teaspoons cayenne pepper

Cook bacon until crisp. Drain on a paper towel. Set aside. Place all ingredients, except bacon, in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring frequently, until the apples are soft & most of the liquid is gone. Mash with a potato masher or spoon. Stir in bacon.

Brie Stuffed Maple Burger
12 oz lean ground beef
1 tablespoon maple syrup
salt & pepper
2 oz brie, chilled in the freezer for at least an hour (this will make it easier to slice)

Mix the beef, maple syrup & salt & pepper to taste together with your hands, do not over work. Divide into 4 equal pieces & make into patties. Cut the brie into slices, removing the rind if you wish. Place the brie slices on the middle of two patties. Top with the other two patties. Press the edges together to seal. Heat a griddle over medium-high heat. Cook the burgers for about 10 minutes per side. Top the burgers with the spicy apple bacon compote & serve on a multi-grain bun.


bacon recipe courtesy of: A Good Appetite, September 29, 2009

2599. GORGONZOLA and SMOKY BACON BURGERS

serves four


4 slices bacon, chopped

1 pound 90% lean ground beef
3 tablespoons crumbled Gorgonzola cheese
¼ teaspoon sea salt
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
1 large tomato, thickly sliced
1 small red onion, thinly sliced
4 whole-wheat burger buns

Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add bacon and cook, stirring occasionally, until crisp. Drain, transfer to a small plate, and set aside to let cool. Form beef into eight thin, round patties. Divide bacon and gorgonzola between four of the patties, then top each with one of the remaining patties. Press the edges of each burger closed to seal well. Season burgers all over with salt and pepper. Grill over high heat, or cook in a large skillet over medium-high heat, until desired doneness, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Top burgers with tomatoes and onions and serve on buns.

bacon recipe courtesy of: Whole Foods Market

2526. BACON BURGERS on BRIOCHE BUNS

yields eight servings


2 medium red onions, thinly sliced
6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for brushing
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
salt and freshly ground pepper
8 slices of thick-cut bacon (12 ounces)
3 pounds mixed ground chuck and ground sirloin
12 ounces brie, sliced
8 brioche burger buns, split

Preheat the oven to 400°. On a rimmed baking sheet, toss the onions with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil and roast until softened, about 20 minutes. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk the mayonnaise with the lemon juice. Gradually whisk in the remaining 1/4 cup of olive oil and season with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, cook the bacon over moderately high heat until crisp. Drain on paper towels and break each strip in half. Light a grill or preheat a grill pan. Form the ground meat into eight patties. Season generously with salt and pepper and brush with olive oil. Grill over moderately high heat until well-browned on the bottom, 5 minutes. Flip the burgers, mound the brie on top and grill for 4 minutes longer, until the cheese is slightly melted and the burgers are medium-rare. Spread the lemon mayonnaise on the cut sides of the buns; set the burgers on the bottoms and top with the bacon and onions. Close the burgers and serve right away.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Tyler Florence, "Pairing of the Day: October 2010, Tyler Florence's Recipe-Contest Winners," Food & Wine, October 2010

2432. BLT BURGERS with HONEY TREACLE-GLAZED BACON, GRILLED LETTUCE and SMOKY TOMATO MAYONNAISE

For the honey treacle-glazed bacon:
18 slices thick cut applewood smoked bacon, divided
2 1/2 tablespoons honey
2 teaspoons treacle
2 teaspoons sherry vinegar
pinch ground cayenne

For the grilled lettuce:
4 leaves radicchio
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 tablespoon sherry vinegar
1/2 tablespoon Dijon mustard

For the smoky tomato mayo:
1 large ripe tomato
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 clove garlic
180ml mayonnaise
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

For the burgers:
900 grams minced steak
1/4 teaspoon finely chopped fresh tarragon leaves
2 teaspoons salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Vegetable oil, for griddle pan
175 grams Comte or Gruyere, grated
6 hamburger buns, split

Preheat a non-stick frying pan over a medium high heat.

Roughly chop six of the bacon slices, and add to the pan. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the bacon just barely begins to turn crispy, about for 3 to 4 minutes. Add the cooked bacon to a food processor and process for 4 to 5 seconds. Set aside for later use in the burgers.

For the honey treacle-glazed bacon: In a small mixing bowl, combine the honey, treacle, vinegar and cayenne pepper, and mix until well combined. Brush the remaining 12 bacon slices on both sides with the honey mixture.

Heat a large fireproof non-stick pan on the griddle. Add half the bacon and cook over a medium high heat until crispy, about 5 minutes, flipping once. Drain on paper towels. Repeat with the remaining bacon.

For the griddled lettuce: Soak the radicchio leaves, for about 10 minutes, in an ice bath to lessen the amount of bitterness. Remove the leaves from the ice bath and pat dry with paper towels. Brush the leaves with 1 tbsp oil.

Put on the griddle and cook briefly on each side. Transfer to a cutting board and cut into 2.5cm-wide strips.

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the remaining 1 tbsp of oil, the sherry vinegar and Dijon mustard. Add the radicchio and toss to coat.

For the smoky tomato mayo: Put the tomato on the griddle and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, turning occasionally, until most of the skin has blackened. Transfer to a small bowl and cover with cling film. After 10 minutes, squeeze the tomato into a strainer to remove the seeds and most of the skin (you can leave a little bit of the burnt skin). Discard the seeds and skin.

In the bowl of a food processor, combine the tomato, smoked paprika, garlic and mayonnaise and puree. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper.

For the burgers: Combine the beef, reserved bacon (that was chopped in the food processor), tarragon, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Mix well, handling the meat as little as possible to avoid compacting. Divide the mixture into six equal portions and form into burgers to fit the size of the buns.

Brush the griddle pan with vegetable oil. Arrange the burgers in the pan and cook, turning once, just until done, about 4 minutes on each side for medium-rare. During the last few minutes of cooking, top with equal amounts of cheese and put the buns, cut side down, on the outer edges of the griddle to toast lightly.

Spread a generous amount of the smoky tomato mayo on the cut side of the buns. Top the bottoms with two slices of honey treacle-glazed bacon, a cheese-topped burger and equal amounts of grilled lettuce. Cover with the bun tops and serve.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Great British Menu, Food Network UK, 111 Buckingham Palace Road, London, SW1W 0SR

2420. QUESO FRESCO BACON BURGERS with AVOCADO SALSA

6 jalapenos
3/4 pound of bacon
3 pounds ground chuck
1 cup crumbled queso fresco
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 buttermilk
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 avocados, pitted & thinly sliced
1 bunch cilantro, chopped
1/2 onion, thinly sliced
hamburger buns

In a skillet, cook the jalapenos in a little bit of oil until softened and charred. Transfer to a bowl, cover, and let cool slightly. Remove and discard the skin, stem, and seeds; finely chop the chiles.

Fry the bacon until crispy and reserve 1 tablespoon of bacon fat.

In a large bowl, combine the reserved bacon fat, half of the chopped chiles, and crumbled bacon. Then mix in the ground beef. Form into 6 patties and season with salt and pepper.

In a medium bowl, combine the crumbled queso fresco, mayo, buttermilk, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and the remaining chiles. Season with salt and pepper; refrigerate.

In another bowl, toss together the sliced avocados, onion, cilantro, and remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Set aside.

Grill the burgers, turning once, for about 10 minutes for medium rare, longer if you like them more well done. Just before the burgers are done, toast the buns on the grill (or skillet) for about a minute.

Place a burger on each bun bottom, top with some avocado salsa and queso fresco dressing, and finish with the top half of the bun.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Crystal Light Faulkner, Mrs Happy Homemaker, June 30, 2011

2157. MINI SLIDERS with BACON, PROVOLONE CHEESE SAUCE and CHIPOTLE SALSA

yields more than 8 servings


CHIPOTLE SALSA:
2 tablespoons coriander, ground
5 ancho chilies (deseeded)
2 dried chili peppers (boiled in water until soft)
salt to taste
vinegar to taste

MINI SLIDERS:
2 yellow onions, finely diced
5 1/2 pounds ground flank steak, keep chilled
3 pounds bacon, rendered three-fourths of the way, chilled
5 pounds ground chuck beef
3 pounds ground turkey
1 1/2 packages Ranch powder dressing
3 tablespoons salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper

BUNS:
2 packages buns

CHEESE SAUCE:
Bechamel sauce
1 onion, finely diced
1 bay leaf
1 cup butter
1 cup all purpose flour
2 quarts cold milk
1 quart provolone cheese

CHIPOTLE SALSA:
2 onions
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon cilantro
drizzle of oil
1 can chipotle
2 cans tomatoes
1 quart water
2 tablespoons cumin, ground

CHIPOTLE SALSA: Sauté onions with garlic, cilantro and oil. Add chipotle, tomatoes, and water. Toast cumin with coriander then add to sauce. Toast ancho chilies and add chili peppers. Cook for one hour. Puree in blender and adjust seasoning with salt and vinegar.

MINI SLIDERS: Sauté onions in butter until soft and translucent. Add salt to taste and chill over ice. Mix ingredients together. Form 1 ½-ounce balls to form 3/4-inch-thick patties and grill with cross hatch to desired temperature (medium is ideal).

BUNS: Toast buns.

CHEESE SAUCE: Add béchamel, onion and bay leaf; sauté in butter until translucent. Taste for flour (should not have flour taste). Cook 20 minutes until no color then whisk in cold milk. Cook for 20 to 30 more minutes. Finish with salt, a pinch of nutmeg and a pinch of cayenne. Whisk in provolone cheese.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Jennifer Biesty, Top Chef, Season 4, Episode 3, Bravo