Madlove Burgers

Jalapeños are the most popular chile peppers in the US. This is probably due to the availability and versatility of the chile. Jalapeños have a balanced combination of flavor and heat. The demand for these have caused breeders to develop a broad range of varieties.

Ingredients

For the maple bacon:
12 slices bacon
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
For the candied jalapenos:
2 large jalapeno peppers, sliced into rounds
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup distilled white vinegar

For the burgers:
Vegetable oil, for the grill
12 ounces ground beef chuck
6 ounces ground beef sirloin
6 ounces ground beef brisket
1/3 cup seltzer
Pinch of Cajun seasoning
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
6 slices Swiss cheese
6 slices mozzarella cheese
6 slices provolone cheese
6 sesame brioche buns, split
Unsalted butter, for spreading
Butter lettuce, sliced tomatoes and sliced avocado, for topping

Directions
Make the maple bacon: Preheat the oven to 275 degrees F. Arrange the bacon on a rack set on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake 30 minutes, then brush with the maple syrup and sprinkle with the brown sugar. Continue baking until the sugar melts and the bacon is glazed, 35 to 40 more minutes. Let cool.
Make the candied jalapenos: Combine the jalapenos, granulated sugar and vinegar in a small bowl; set aside.

Make the burgers: Preheat a grill or grill pan over high heat and brush the grates with vegetable oil. Combine the beef chuck, sirloin and brisket, seltzer, Cajun seasoning and a pinch each of salt and pepper in a large bowl. Mix with your hands until just combined. Form into six 1/2-inch-thick patties.

Grill the burgers 3 1/2 minutes, then flip and top each with a slice of Swiss cheese, mozzarella and provolone. Cover and cook 2 1/2 more minutes for medium. Meanwhile, butter the cut sides of the buns and grill until warm, about 1 minute.

Serve the burgers on the toasted buns; top with the maple bacon, candied jalapenos, lettuce, tomato and avocado.

Recipe courtesy of Michell and Bella Sanchez for Food Network Magazine, June 2016.