Burger Bean Spaghetti Pie Food

BACON JAM BURGER

Steps:

• For the bacon jam: Cook the bacon in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until browned and crisp and the fat has rendered out. Allow to cool, then chop the bacon.
• In the same pan with the bacon drippings, add the onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly softened. Add the brown sugar, vinegar and thyme; bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low and cook until the liquid is absorbed and the mixture has thickened to a jam-like consistency, about 20 minutes. Stir in the bacon; remove from the heat.
• For the burger: Divide the beef into 4 equal portions and form into burger patties. Sprinkle both sides of each patty with salt and pepper.
• Heat the oil in a pan or griddle over high heat. Cook the patties until golden brown and slightly charred on the first side, about 3 minutes. Flip over the patties and cook until golden brown and slightly charred on the second side or to the desired degree of doneness, about 4 minutes for medium-rare. Add 1 slice of American cheese and 1 slice of Cheddar to the top of each patty during the last minute of cooking, then top the pan with a basting cover or tent the patties with aluminum foil to melt the cheese.
• Coat the bottom of the buns with mayo. Put the patties on the mayo-coated buns and top with the arugula and bacon jam. Sandwich the burger together with the tops of the buns and serve immediately.

SMASH BURGERS WITH THE WORKS

Steps:

• For the BBQ honey-mustard: Stir together the mayonnaise, barbecue sauce, honey and mustard in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper.
• For the Miss Brown's burger sauce: Stir together the mayonnaise, ketchup, relish, sugar and vinegar in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Cover both sauces and refrigerate until ready to use.
• For the burgers: Shape the beef into 8 balls, about 3 ounces each. Heat a griddle or large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add the butter and let melt. Sprinkle the beef with salt and pepper. Place the beef balls, in batches if necessary, on the hot griddle and smash into flat discs with a burger press. (Smash each for about 10 seconds.) Repeat until all the burgers are smashed.
• Cook for 2 minutes, then turn. Sprinkle the patties with a little more salt and pepper and smash again with the press. Cook until the patties are caramelized and browned, 1 to 2 minutes longer. Add the cheese and let stand until melted. Remove the patties from the griddle.
• To assemble, spread the sauces on the tops and bottoms of the buns. Top with shredded lettuce, 2 meat patties, red onions, pickles and bacon, if using, and more sauce if you like it saucy. Place the remaining buns on top and serve.

BBQ BURGERS

Steps:

• Heat a gas or charcoal grill to high. Brush the grill grates with oil.
• For the coleslaw: Combine the carrot, cabbage, onion, vinegar, mayonnaise, oil and sugar in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Let the slaw sit at least 15 minutes before serving.
• For the spice rub: Whisk together the ancho chile powder, paprika, coriander, cumin, mustard powder, oregano, cayenne and 1 teaspoon each salt and pepper in a small bowl.
• For the burgers: Divide the meat into 4 equal portions (about 6 ounces each). Shape each portion with your hands into a round patty, about 3/4 inches thick. Use your thumb to make a divot in the center of each burger. Sprinkle both sides of each burger with salt and pepper. Sprinkle the spice rub on one side of the burgers then brush with oil. Grill, spice rub-side down first, covered, until golden brown and slightly charred, about 4 minutes per side for medium.
• While the burgers cook, toast the buns on the grill until lightly charred, 10 to 15 seconds. Set aside.
• Add 2 slices of cheese to the tops of each burger. Cover the burgers with the grill lid, large domed lid or large metal bowl and count to 10 until the cheese is melted.
• Place the burgers on the bottom buns and spoon about 2 tablespoons of the BBQ sauce on each. Top with the sliced pickled jalapenos, some of the coleslaw and the top buns and serve immediately.