BLT Burgers

For this recipe you’ll need:

• 1/4 pound bacon, cut into lardons
• 1 pound ground chuck
• 2 tablespoons ketchup or barbecue sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon dried onion flakes
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 4 slices cheddar cheese
• 4 seeded Kaiser rolls
• 1/2 avocado, cut into thin slices
• 1 large tomato, thinly sliced
• 2 cups arugula
• Your favorite condiments

Directions:

1. Heat a sauté pan over low heat, and add the bacon. Cook until golden brown and crisp. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the bacon to a medium-size bowl.

2. Mix the bacon with the ground beef, ketchup or barbecue sauce, garlic powder, onion flakes, salt and pepper. Test the mixture for seasoning by cooking a small piece in a sauté pan and tasting it. Adjust the seasoning if necessary. Form the mixture into 4 burgers.

3. Heat a grill pan over medium heat.

4. Grill the burgers on the first side until well marked. Give the burger a quarter turn and continue to cook until you have a diamond pattern.

5. Flip the burgers over and top with the cheese. Continue to cook until the cheese has melted and the burgers are done to your liking. Use a meat thermometer to eliminate the guesswork. An internal temperature of 130º to135° is ideal for medium.

6. Serve on the seeded buns topped with avocado, tomato, arugula and your favorite condiments.