Triple Bacon Burger

Here is a tasty burger that you can try out this coming July 4th.  The addition of bacon to everything in this burger makes it delicious, but not the healthiest.  However, this can be taken care of by using a low-fat ground beef or by using bits of bacon in the mayonnaise instead of bacon fat.  Either way, this will still be nice and bacon-y.

This burger is straight-forward, and doesn't take much more time than your typical burger.  Having a little bit of bacon in all aspects of the burger gives the burger an underlying bacon flavor.  This recipe uses our Pastamore Traditional Barrel-Aged Balsamic Vinegar in the meat, and this gives some acidity to break the richness of this burger.

Ingredients:  Serves: 4
1 lb - lean ground beef (93/7)

1 Tbsp - Pastamore Traditional Barrel-Aged Balsamic Vinegar

1/2 lb - bacon
4 - buns
4 slices - cheddar cheese
2 Tbsp - mayonnaise
1 - tomato
As garnish - romaine lettuce
1/4 tsp - salt
1/4 tsp - black pepper


Directions:
1.  Combine the 1 lb of ground beef, salt, black pepper, and Pastamore Traditional Barrel-Aged Balsamic Vinegar in a large bowl.  Mix until all ingredients are fully incorporated.  Place to the side.

2.  Turn the grill onto high/medium-high heat.  Place a large pan on the stove over medium-high heat.  Once the pan is hot, add the bacon to the pan.  Cook until desired doneness is reached, and then place onto paper towel to dry.  Reserve 1 Tbsp of bacon fat, and dispose of the rest.  Add the bacon fat to the 2 Tbsp of mayonnaise, and then whisk together.  Place the mixture into the refrigerator.

3.  Reserve 4-6 slices of bacon to top the completed burgers with, and chop the remaining pieces.  Add the chopped bacon to the ground beef mixture, and mix until incorporated.  Form four equal-sized patties out of the ground beef.

4.  Place the burgers on the grill and cook until the desired temperature has been reached.  Turn the burgers one time during the cooking process, and add the cheese to the top of the burgers when there is approximately 1-2 minutes left in cook time.

5.  Place the buns onto the grill and cook until they have become toasted.  Slice the tomato and lettuce for use as garnish.

6.  Spoon 1/4 of the mayonnaise mixture onto the bottom bun, and then top with the lettuce.  Place the burger on top, and then add the tomato and bacon strips.