Ingredients
12 slices good-quality smoky bacon
For the barbecue sauce:
1 cup ketchup
2 large cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
2 tablespoons dark amber maple syrup
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
1 teaspoon smoked sweet paprika (1/3 palmful)
Coarse black pepper
1 small red onion, sliced and rings separated
Juice of 1 lime
Salt
2 pound ground sirloin or turkey
2 tablespoons pureed chipotle in adobo sauce
2 tablespoons Worcestershire
Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), for drizzling
12 slices yellow cheddar cheese
12 hamburger buns, split
Crisp lettuce, finely chopped
Directions
Pre-heat the oven to 350°F. Par-bake the bacon for 10 minutes on a slotted pan or on cooling rack set over baking sheet to render some of the fat. Cool to handle.
Combine the barbecue sauce ingredients in a small pot. Bring to a bubble and reduce the heat to low; cook for 15-20 minutes to thicken.
Place the onion rings in a bowl and dress with salt, pepper and lime juice. Combine the meat with the chipotle, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper and a drizzle of oil. Form six patties. Heat a double-burner griddle or flat side of a grill pan over medium to medium-high heat. Cross two slices of bacon on a work surface like an X, then place a burger pattie on top of the X and wrap bacon up and around burger. Repeat to wrap all six burgers. Cook the burgers seam-side down until the bacon is crisp, about 6 minutes. Flip and cook the burgers for six minutes more. Top the burgers with cheese in last minute or so; cover with a loose foil tent to melt.
Arrange a little lettuce on the bun bottoms and top with the burger patties, barbecue sauce, onions and bun tops.
