Bordertown Burgers With Spicy Onions Recipes

SMASH BURGERS WITH GRIDDLED ONIONS AND SPICY SPECIAL SAUCE

Steps:

• Whisk the mayonnaise, pickled jalapenos, brine, mustard and garlic together in a small bowl. Set aside until ready to serve.
• Combine the chuck and brisket in a medium bowl and using 2 forks, "pull" the meat apart, breaking up any clumps and combining the two meats together. This will seem counterintuitive but it will blend the meats together without compacting them. Divide into 4 equal portions and form balls (about the size of tennis balls) being careful not to compact or overwork the meat -- do not form patties.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onions and season with salt and pepper; cook, tossing occasionally, until golden browned, 6 to 8 minutes. Sprinkle with the sugar and toss until caramelized, about 1 minute. Transfer to a plate.
• Increase the heat to high and heat the same skillet until very hot. Add the remaining oil (or 1 tablespoon oil, if working in batches), swirling to coat.
• Working in batches if necessary, place balls in the skillet and smash flat with a metal spatula using the handle of a wooden spoon to press down on the spatula to form 4-inch patties (you want to see craggy edges). Season liberally with salt and pepper and cook, undisturbed, until the outer edges are brown, 1 to 2 minutes. Flip the patties, season with salt and pepper and top each patty with a slice of cheese. Cook until the cheese droops and the burgers are medium-rare, about 1 minute.
• Serve the patties on the toasted buns with the spicy special sauce, griddled onions, lettuce and tomatoes.

GARLIC AND ONION BURGERS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, mix together the beef, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, onion, salt, pepper and Italian seasoning. Refrigerate for 2 to 4 hours.
• Preheat grill for high heat.
• Form burgers into 1/2 inch thick patties. Lightly oil grate. Place burgers on grill. Cook for approximately 6 minutes, turning once.

OLD SCHOOL MEETS NEW -- CHEESY, ONION, SPICY, BBQ BURGER

Steps:

• Bacon -- A couple of options for approximately 4-5 slices of bacon. You can either dice and pan saute until golden brown and then let drain on a plate lined with a paper towel; you can oven bake, even buy pre-cooked bacon and then just dice. For that matter, you can buy a bag of real bacon bits cooked and diced. But my favorite is to cook mine on a paper plate lined with a paper towel and topped with a paper towel and cook in the microwave for 3-4 minutes until crisp -- You get the idea. 1/4 cup crispy chopped bacon bits. Use what you like best.
• Burgers -- Make these first. I actually like to freeze mine for a short period. It just firms them up and makes it easy to grill. In a medium size bowl, add the worcestershire, lipton onion soup and water and mix well. Add in the beef and mix (using your hands). Don't over mix. Over mixing can make the burgers tough. Form into 8 patties. Place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper or foil. Freeze for about 15-30 minutes. It just firms them up and makes it easier to grill.
• Mayo Dressing -- Burgers are chilling, make the mayo dressing. In a small bowl, mix the mayonnaise, bacon bits (whatever way you made the bacon), BBQ sauce (any brand), and jalapenos. Cover and refrigerate.
• Onion Rings -- Now I cheat - I admit. I hate making them, but if you want to make your own, GO FOR IT! If not, I use frozen Ore Ida rings, just set on the cookie sheet in the oven (follow pkg directions) and bake. Mine took approximately 15 minutes. I started the burgers about half way through cooking the onions so they all came out about the same time. I planned on 3 rings per burger which was about right.
• Grilling -- I use a outdoor grill, but an indoor grill pan would also work great. If not, a large saute pan will be fine. I heat the grill or pan to medium heat drizzled or brushed with the olive oil.
• With your thumb, push in the center of the burger to make an indentation, not all the way through, but a nice indentation. This will prevent the burger from "puffing" up. Grill on side one until golden brown with good grill marks and flip. Finish grilling the burger until medium well or the desired doneness you prefer. I like medium well for burgers. The last minute, add the cheese, cover and remove from the heat. One minute later - the cheese will be melted and you will have the perfect burger.
• Rolls -- The last few seconds I put the rolls on the grill for a light toast. Just a few seconds.
• Burgers -- Slather a little of the BBQ mayo of each side of the rolls, top with a burger, cheese, onion rings, lettuce and the top roll.
• Serve -- Just ENJOY!

CANADIAN BURGER WITH BEER-BRAISED ONIONS AND CHEDDAR

Steps:

• For the Beer-Braised Onions:.
• Melt the butter in a large heavy skillet.
• Add the onions and cook while stirring frequently over medium heat for 5 to 6 minutes, or until tender.
• Add 3/4 cup beer and the sugar, and cook until beer is absorbed and the onions become lightly browned, about 15 minutes.
• For the burgers:.
• Pre-heat the barbeque on high.
• In a large bowl, gently but thoroughly combine the beef, garlic, red pepper, 1/4 cup beer, dijon, salt and pepper.
• Form into 4 patties 1" thick, and place on the grill, turning heat down to medium.
• Grill them for 4-6 minutes per side, or until nearly the desired doneness.
• Top each burger with 1/2 cup grated cheese, and heat till slightly melted.
• Serve on toasted buns and top each with the beer-braised onions.