from Food Network Magazine June/July 2009

4 ground turkey or beef patties, seasoned with salt and pepper
8 slices of bacon (turkey works great), cooked
4 slices of smoked gouda (Bobby used smoked cheddar, but I couldn't find any.)
4 hamburger buns
1 Recipe Onion Rings (recipe coming soon)
1 Recipe Bobby's BBQ sauce (recipe below)

Brush patties with BBQ sauce and grill for 5-8 minutes per side, depending on the thickness of the patty and the type of meat you have -- until it's cooked through. Add cheese slices to patties during the last 2-3 minutes of cooking.

When the patties are done (or while they're cooking, if you have room on your grill), place the buns inside-down on the grill for 2-3 minutes toast. (This is totally optional, but it's amazing at the difference it makes.)

To assemble burgers, brush both sides of the bun with BBQ sauce, and layer a couple of onion rings and bacon slices on top of the patties. Eat. Groan.

Makes 4 burgers.


Bobby's BBQ Sauce

2 T oil
1 Spanish onion, chopped (I used a regular yellow one, I think.)
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1 c ketchup
2 T chili powder (ancho, if you have it)
1 T paprika
1 heaping tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 T red wine vinegar
1 T Worcestershire sauce
1 chipotle chile in adobo, chopped
2 T dark brown sugar
1 T honey
1 T molasses
Salt and black pepper

In a medium saucepan, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add onion and cook until soft, 3-4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another minute. Add ketchup and 1/3 c water, bring to a boil and simmer for 5 minutes. Add everything else (except salt and pepper); simmer for 10 minutes or until thickened, stirring occasionally.

Transfer the mixture to a blender or food processor (or use a stick/immersion blender in your saucepan); puree until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then pour into a bowl. Allow to cool to room temperature. Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Makes about 1 cup.

Nat's Notes:
1. If you'd rather use store-bought BBQ sauce, it would work just as well. I'm sort of a "make it from scratch" junkie, and tried out his BBQ sauce. It's great, but it tastes a lot like stuff I'd normally buy.

www.PerrysPlate.com