Smoked Gouda and Bacon Jam Burgers

Burgers:

• 1-1/2 pounds Ground Beef (80% lean or leaner)
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 4 slices Gouda Cheese
• 4 brioche buns, toasted
• Arugula or lettuce (optional)

Bacon Jam:

• 1 pound thick cut bacon, chopped
• 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
• 2 tablespoons water (to adjust consistency)

Caramelized Onion:

• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 large red onion, thinly sliced 
• Pinch of salt

1. To prepare bacon jam, cook bacon in large skillet over medium heat until bacon is crispy, but tender. Remove bacon to paper towel lined plate; drain fat, leaving all but 2 tablespoons in skillet.
2. Add yellow onion to skillet; sauté, stirring occasionally, until soft, about 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in garlic, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, balsamic vinegar, black pepper, and red pepper flakes, if desired. Cook another 2 to 3 minutes.
3. Return bacon to skillet; reduce heat to low. Simmer, stirring occasionally until thick and jam-like, about 15 to 20 minutes. Add water if necessary to adjust consistency. Set aside
4. In a small skillet over medium-low heat, melt the butter. Add red onion and pinch of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally 15 to 20 minutes or until onions are soft and caramelized.
5. Divide Ground Beef evenly and shape into 1/2-inch thick patties. Season with salt and pepper.
6. Place patties on grid over medium, ash-covered coals or skillet. Grill patties, covered, 6 to 8 minutes (over medium heat on preheated gas grill 5 to 7 minutes), until instant-read thermometer inserted horizontally into center registers 160°F, turning occasionally. Remove from grill; top with Gouda cheese.
7. Assemble burgers by placing patties on bottom halves of buns. Top with generous spoonful of bacon jam, caramelized onion and arugula, if desired. Close burgers with top halves of buns.

Nutrition information per serving, 4 servings: 608 Calories; 34.0 g Total Fat (14.5 g Saturated Fat; 1 .0g Trans Fat; 1.0 g Polyunsaturated Fat; 11.0 g Monounsaturated Fat); 161.0 mg Cholesterol; 636.0 mg Sodium; 32.0 g Total Carbohydrate; 2.7 g Dietary Fiber; 8.4 g Total Sugars; 3.7 g Added Sugars; 43.0 g Protein; 223.0 mg Calcium; 3.6 mg Iron; 589.0 mg Potassium; 0.1 mcg Vitamin D; 0.2 mg Riboflavin; 9.4 mg Niacin; 0.5 mg Vitamin B6; 3.2 mcg Vitamin B12; 270.0 mg Phosphorus; 7.4 mg Zinc; 25.0 mcg Selenium; 100.0 mg Choline

A serving of this recipe provides an excellent source of protein, iron, zinc, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, phosphorus and selenium as well as a good source of calcium, potassium and choline.