GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. -- This week's griller is Zoe Darnick from South Minneapolis. Zoe is grilling up blue-cheese burgers with bacon jam. According to Zoe, these are the best hamburgers you've never tasted!
Blue cheese burgers with bacon jam
4 lbs lean ground beef
1 t black pepper
1 t salt
1 t garlic powder
4 oz blue cheese
Preheat grill to medium heat. Divide beef into 4 equal portions, shaping each portion into a 1-/2 inch thick patty. Sprinkle each patty with equal amounts of pepper, salt and garlic powder.
Place the patties on the grill, cover and grill for 3 minutes on each side. One minute before they are done, top each patty with 1 oz blue cheese.
For the Bacon jam
1 lb thick cut bacon
1 T bacon fat
1 half white onion-diced
2 garlic cloves-minced
1/4 c dark brown sugar
1/4 c apple cider vinegar
1-1/2 c broth
1/4 c bourbon
1 t black pepper
Cook bacon until almost crisp, cool and cut into small pieces. Set aside.
Using a heavy bottom pan, add 1 T bacon fat and add the onion and garlic. Saute until browned. Add the bacon and remaining ingredients. Simmer on low heat for two hours. When liquid is mostly gone, remove from heat and place in a food processor. Blend until smooth.
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