Turkey Cheeseburger With Onion Bacon Whiskey Jam Food

JUICY TURKEY BURGERS WITH ONION JAM

Steps:

• Prepare the onion jam: Heat a large saute pan. Toss in the onion slices with the oil and a generous pinch of salt. Add the sugar and cook over medium heat until the onions are caramelized and tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Stir in the vinegar and if a splash of juice from the cornichon jar, if using, and cook 1 to 2 minutes. Set aside.
• For the burgers: Break up the meat in a medium bowl, spreading it up the sides of the bowl so that the seasoning really permeates the meat. Sprinkle with the Worcestershire and salt. Mix with your hands, but do not overmix. (The more you work the meat, the tougher the burger.) Gingerly form the meat into four round 1-inch-thick patties. Refrigerate for at least 20 minutes and up to 1 hour.
• Heat a large cast-iron skillet and add the oil. When the oil begins to smoke lightly, arrange the patties in a single layer at a distance from one another. Let cook, undisturbed, until the bottoms brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Turn the patties and let the bottoms brown again, 3 to 5 minutes. Lower the heat to medium-low, then add the stock to the skillet and cover. Simmer until the patties are cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F, 7 to 10 minutes. Remove the lid, shut off the heat under the skillet and place a slice of cheese on each patty. Let the patties rest with the heat off until the cheese is melted, about 2 minutes. Transfers the patties to a plate or cutting board and let rest for 1 to 2 minutes.
• Reduce the remaining liquid in the skillet by half, about 5 minutes, and serve it on the side of the burgers. People can spoon this liquid over the burgers instead of or in addition to ketchup. You can also just add this reduced liquid to the onion jam to enrich the flavor.
• Assemble the burgers: Arrange the bun bottoms on a work surface. Spoon some of the onion jam on each and top with one of the patties. Top with more jam and a few slices of cornichon. Top with the bun tops.

TURKEY BURGER SLIDERS WITH VIDALIA ONION-TOMATO JAM

Steps:

• Make the Vidalia onion-tomato jam: Heat the butter in a large skillet over medium heat until the butter is melted. Add the onions, then season with a little salt and cook, stirring frequently, until they are golden brown and soft, about 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, cut the tomatoes in half crosswise. Scoop out the tomato seeds with a spoon and discard the seeds. Chop the tomatoes. Stir the tomatoes, garlic, brown sugar, vegetable stock and vinegar into the softened onions. Reduce the heat to low and cook until the onions are caramelized, the tomatoes are very soft and the mixture is syrupy, 20 to 25 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and stir in the thyme. Set aside.
• Make the turkey burger sliders: Gently combine the ground turkey, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder and egg in a medium bowl. Shape the mixture into twelve 2 1/2-inch patties.
• Heat a lightly greased griddle over medium-high heat. Sprinkle the patties lightly with salt and pepper. Add the patties and cook until they are done and a thermometer registers 165 degrees F, 2 to 3 minutes on each side.
• To assemble the sliders, place the patties on the bottoms of the Hawaiian rolls. Top with the goat cheese, some of the Vidalia onion-tomato jam, arugula and the roll tops. Pierce the cherry tomatoes with wooden toothpicks into the tops of the rolls.

GENTLEMAN'S WHISKEY BACON JAM

Steps:

• In a large skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Drain on paper towels. Discard all but 2 tablespoons drippings. Add shallots and onion to the drippings; cook over medium heat until caramelized, stirring occasionally., Stir in garlic; cook 30 seconds. Add seasonings. Remove from heat; stir in whiskey and maple syrup. Increase heat to high; bring to a boil and cook 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Add vinegar and brown sugar; cook another 3 minutes, continuing to stir constantly., Add crumbled bacon; reduce heat to low and cook 12 minutes, stirring every few minutes. Allow jam to cool slightly. Pulse half the jam in a food processor until smooth; stir puree into remaining jam. Serve with assorted crackers.