Ultimate Sriracha Burger Food

TIFFANI'S ULTIMATE LUX BURGERS

Steps:

• For the special sauce: Whisk together the mayonnaise, ketchup, gherkins, sriracha and mustard in a small bowl until fully blended.
• For the burgers: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Set a rack on the baking sheet and lay the bacon on it in a single layer. Cook until crisp, 35 to 45 minutes, turning halfway through.
• Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large saute pan over medium-high heat. When the oil shimmers, add the onions and cook, stirring frequently, until the onions are golden and caramelized, about 15 minutes.
• In a medium bowl, gently mix together the meat, Worcestershire, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Divide the meat into 6 equal portions and form each into a ball. Take one of the balls in your palm and, using the thumb of your other hand, gently poke straight into it to just beyond its center. Gently create a small cavity in the ball by pinching the meat between your thumb from the inside and your forefinger on the outside, pressing outward with your thumb and using the forefinger to maintain the round shape from the outside. Take care to leave the meat at least 1/4 inch thick. Fill the cavity with 1 to 1 1/2 ounces of the blue cheese. Gently and carefully close the opening in the meat around the cheese, being careful to seal it fully. Gently press the sphere between your palms to flatten it a bit, being careful not to create any openings. Repeat with the remaining meat and cheese.
• Preheat the broiler. Put the buns on a baking sheet with the insides facing up. Toast the buns until golden, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Heat a grill to medium-high heat and oil the grill grates. When hot, add 2 to 4 burgers, leaving space to comfortably flip them, and grill 2 to 3 minutes on each side for medium. Repeat with the remaining burgers.
• To assemble the burgers, arrange the bottom buns on a clean, dry work surface. Spread each with 1 to 2 tablespoons of the special sauce and then top with some of the caramelized onions, a burger, tomato slice, lettuce leaf, avocado slices, 1 slice of bacon, cut in half, and finally, the top of the bun slathered with more special sauce.

ULTIMATE SRIRACHA BURGER

Steps:

• In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, soy sauce, 5 tablespoons of the Sriracha, and the pepper. Do not overmix. Form the mixture into 8 patties, and set aside, on a parchment-lined baking sheet, covered, in the refrigerator.
• Preheat a charcoal or gas grill to medium-high heat.
• In a medium frying pan over medium-low heat, cook the bacon, turning as necessary. While the bacon is cooking, peel and quarter the onions. Cut each section into ¼-inch slices. Once the bacon is cooked through and slightly crispy, remove the slices from the pan, cut each in half crosswise, and drain onto paper towels, reserving the remaining bacon fat in the pan. Cook the sliced onions in the bacon fat over medium-low heat until they caramelize, 20-25 minutes.
• Grill the burgers, turning once, 4-4½ minutes on each side or until a meat thermometer registers 130-135 degrees for medium-rare.
• While the burgers are cooking, in a small bowl, combine the blue cheese dressing with the remaining 5 tablespoons Sriracha. Lightly toast the buns on the grill during the last minute of cooking time.
• To assemble, spread the blue cheese mixture on both halves of each hamburger bun. Stack a burger patty, Swiss cheese slice, bacon, caramelized onions, tomato slice, and a small handful of arugula between each hamburger bun.

HOMEMADE SRIRACHA

Steps:

• In the bowl of a food processor, combine the peppers, garlic, garlic powder, granulated sugar, salt and brown sugar. Pulse until a coarse puree forms. Transfer to a glass jar, seal, and store at room temperature for 7 days, stirring daily.
• After 1 week, pour the chile mixture into a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the vinegar and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer gently for 5 minutes. Let the mixture cool, then puree in a food processor for 2 to 3 minutes, until a smooth, uniform paste forms. If the mixture is too thick to blend properly, adjust the consistency with a small amount of water.
• Pass the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer. Press on the solids with the back of a spoon to squeeze out every last bit of goodness. Adjust the seasoning and consistency of the final sauce, adding vinegar, water, salt, granulated sugar or garlic powder to suit your taste. Transfer to a glass jar, seal and store in refrigerator for up to 6 months.