Bacon Cheeseburger Onion Cups By Maggie Food

THE BEST BACON CHEESEBURGER

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Combine the mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, relish and vinegar in a small bowl; set aside.
• Working in batches if necessary, add the bacon to a large cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Cook, flipping halfway through, until crisp and golden, about 10 minutes. Transfer the bacon to a nonstick baking sheet. Discard the bacon fat (or save for another use) and wipe the skillet clean but do not wash. Heat over medium-high heat until very hot, about 5 minutes.
• Add the buns split-side up to the baking sheet with the bacon and bake until the buns are toasted, about 5 minutes.
• Loosely form the beef into 4 balls. Add one ball of beef to the skillet and press firmly to flatten with a large flat metal spatula for 10 seconds, then gently remove the spatula. Sprinkle the patty generously with salt; repeat with the remaining beef balls, cooking in batches if necessary. Let cook, undisturbed, until well browned on the bottoms, 2 to 3 minutes. Flip the patties, sprinkle with more salt and top each with a slice of Cheddar. Continue cooking until the cheese is melted around the edges and the bottoms are browned, about 2 more minutes.
• Spread the mayonnaise mixture on the bun tops. Serve the patties on the bottom buns topped with the bacon, onion, tomato and lettuce.

CLASSIC BACON AND CHEESEBURGER

Steps:

• Fry the onion in a large frying pan in a splash of olive oil until golden brown. Add the garlic and fry for another 30 seconds then remove from the heat. Allow to cool to room temperature.
• Mix the cooled onions with the beef, parsley, breadcrumbs, egg, salt and pepper. To test the seasoning, fry a teaspoon-full of the mixture in the pan you cooked the onions in. Adjust the seasoning to taste.
• Divide the mixture into 5-6 (depending on how you big you want the patties), and form patties with wet hands.
• Place on a tray lined with baking paper and place in the fridge to chill for 30 minutes.
• When the patties have rested, heat a large cast iron pan/griddle pan until hot then cook the burgers until charred and cooked to your preference. (You can also cook the burgers on a braai/barbecue.)
• Remove from the heat, top with the cheese and cover with foil for 2 minutes.
• Top the buns with a generous spoonful of mayo, lettuce, tomato, the patty with cheese and finally bacon.
• Serve immediately.

CHEESEBURGER-STUFFED ONION RINGS

Steps:

• Whisk together the ketchup, mayonnaise, mustard and pickle in a small bowl (this is the special sauce).
• Cut a 3/4-inch-thick slice off the ends of each onion. Peel and slice the onions into 1/2-inch-thick rounds. Separate the rings and set aside the 8 largest rings. Set aside another 8 rings that are about 1 inch smaller in diameter. (Reserve the remaining onion for another use.) Mix together the beef, cheese, 1/4 cup special sauce, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a medium bowl until combined.
• Put the large onion rings on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Pack a teaspoon of the meat mixture evenly around the inside of each ring, leaving a hole in the middle. Nest a smaller ring in the middle of each to create the shape of a doughnut. Freeze until completely hard, about 1 hour.
• Whisk together the milk, oil, baking powder, onion powder, egg, 1 cup flour and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a small bowl until smooth. Put the remaining 1/2 cup flour in another small bowl.
• Fill a large pot with 3 inches of oil and attach a deep-frying thermometer to the side. Heat the oil to 375 degrees F. Working in batches, dredge each stuffed ring into the flour, shaking off the excess. Then dip into the batter, letting any excess drip back into the bowl. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and carefully slip into the hot oil. Fry, turning once, until the crust is golden brown, puffed and crisp, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Return the oil to 375 degrees F after each batch.
• Transfer the cheeseburger onion rings to a paper towel-lined baking sheet. Serve with the remaining special sauce for dipping.

ONE-POT BACON CHEESEBURGER PASTA

Steps:

• In a 6-quart stockpot, cook bacon over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until crisp, 6-8 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon; drain on paper towels. Discard drippings. , In the same pot, cook ground beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink, breaking into crumbles, 6-8 minutes; drain. Add the next 10 ingredients; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, until pasta is al dente, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes. , Stir in 1 cup cheese, pickle and bacon; cook and stir until cheese is melted. Serve with remaining cheese and, if desired, tomatoes, lettuce, pickles and red onions.

BACON CHEESEBURGER MACARONI

Steps:

• Cook macaroni according to package directions. Keep warm.
• In a large skillet, cook the diced bacon until crisp, pour off all but aboaut a half tablespoon of bacon grease.
• Add ground beef and green onions and cook together until beef is thoroughly cooked through.
• Stir in chili powder, salt, and liquid smoke and cook for about 5 minutes.
• Add ketchup, mustard, and tomatoes and stir until well combined.
• Stir in cooked macaroni and shredded cheese.
• Cook over low heat for about 5 minutes until cheese is melted and everything is heated through.

BACON CHEESEBURGERS

Steps:

• Preheat a grill for high heat.
• Place bacon in a large skillet over medium heat. Fry, stirring occasionally. When the bacon is almost done, add the onion. Cook until the bacon is crisp, and the onion is tender. Remove onion and bacon from the pan with a slotted spoon, and transfer to a food processor. Pulse a couple of times to chop finely. Do not puree. Pour into a large bowl, and mix with steak sauce and ground chuck using your hands. Form into 16 patties.
• Place patties on the grill, and cook for 5 minutes per side, or until well done. Place a slice of cheese on top of each one during the last minute.

CARAMELIZED ONION-BACON CHEESEBURGER

Steps:

• Mix beef, mustard, Worcestershire sauce and dry seasonings just until blended; shape into 4 (1/2-inch-thick) patties. Set aside.
• Cook bacon and onions in skillet over medium heat 10 to 15 min. or until bacon is crisp and onions are lightly browned, stirring frequently.
• Meanwhile, cook beef patties in separate covered nonstick skillet over medium heat 10 min. or until done (160°F), turning burgers and uncovering skillet after 5 min.
• Use slotted spoon to transfer bacon mixture from skillet to medium bowl. Stir in ketchup.
• Place lettuce on bottom halves of rolls; top with burgers, Singles, bacon mixture and pickles. Cover with tops of rolls.