Yield: 1 (1/2 lb.) burger

"The Nutter Butter Burger" | Bud & Burgers 2015 Championships Entry

Ingredients

For the Spicy Peanut Butter Aioli:

  • 2 Tbl. creamy peanut butter (I like to use Peter Pan)
  • 2 tsp. sriracha sauce
  • 1 tsp. regular soy sauce
  • 1 Tbl. + 1 tsp. Miracle Whip
  • 2 tsp. Budweiser beer

For the Black Cherry Onion Jam:

  • 1 Tbl. butter
  • 1/2 of a large sweet onion (preferably Vidalia), sliced
  • 3 Tbl. black cherry preserves
  • 1 Tbl. Budweiser beer
  • dash each salt and fresh cracked black pepper (or coarse ground)

For the Spicy Sweet Candied Bacon:

  • 2 strips lean quality thick-cut bacon cooked crisp and drained
  • 1 Tbl. dark brown sugar
  • 1 tsp. spicy brown mustard
  • 1 tsp. sriracha

For the Spicy Nutter Butter Burger:

  • 1/2 lb. 80/20 ground beef
  • 1 Tbl. creamy peanut butter
  • 1 Tbl. frozen salted butter, grated or chopped finely
  • 1 Tbl. Budweiser beer
  • 1/2 tsp. soy sauce
  • fresh cracked black pepper (or coarse ground), for inside and out.
  • 1/2 tsp. sriracha sauce

Rest of Ingredients:

  • 1 thick slice havarti cheese (or two thin slices) or a 1/3 cup crumbled
  • 1 slice garden-fresh red-ripe large beefsteak tomato
  • 1 piece kale torn to slightly overhang size of bun
  • 1 split and grilled/toasted soft pretzel or onion poppy seed bun, whatever is available in your area

Instructions

  • For the Aioli:
  • Stir ingredients in small bowl until well mixed. Set aside.
  • For the Onion Jam:
  • In small saucepan, melt butter, add rest of ingredients, and sauté until onions are tender. About 3-5 minutes.
  • For Candied Bacon:
  • In small bowl, mix dark brown sugar, mustard, and sriracha. Spread evenly on both sides of precooked bacon and place onto a shallow dish or non-stick baking sheet. Low broil a minute or two on each side until bubbly, set aside.
  • For the Burger:
  • In medium bowl, add beef breaking it up. Smear the peanut butter over the top. Grate in butter. Drizzle evenly with beer, soy sauce, and sriracha. Add pepper. Mix lightly with hands, but combine and distribute ingredients well.
  • Shape into a nice round, thick patty making a small dent in the center. Sprinkle both sides with more pepper.
  • Place burger patty onto medium-hot grill and close lid. Grill 4-5 minutes depending on how hot your grill is. Flip with a sharp spatula and grill other side until done, about 4-5 more minutes depending on the doneness preferred.
  • When almost done, top with havarti cheese and melt most of the way with lid closed. Then top with candied bacon and onion jam, close lid and grill just a minute longer. (*The cheese, bacon and onion jam can also be broiled.) Remove from grill (or broiler).
  • Toast inside of buns on grill or under broiler.
  • To Assemble:
  • Top bottom bun with kale, then top with finished burger and tomato slice.
  • Spread inside of top bun (or bottom and top if you prefer), with spicy sweet aioli. Place top on burger and take a BIG bite!
  • Good, huh?!! :D ;)