Not Your Ordinary Mid-Week Burger Night

Have I mentioned that my guys are big burger fans? Saying that a guy likes burgers is redundant, isn’t it? Sure, girls like a good burger too. But guys could live of pizza, burgers and brew. The fairer sex needs more, much much more.

If I’m going to make a mid-week burger, it needs to be elevated. I like gourmet burgers. One of my favorites from the past were my Beurre Maitre d’Hôtel Burgers. It’s a real toss up between those and my Arugula Burgers. Needless to say, gourmet burgers are not among the all-time favorites with my guys. However; these Jalapeño Popper Bacon Burgers rank right up there with the whole family. Yeah, I might even have to classify these amazing burgers as Gourmet Adjacent.

Word to the wise, you’ll want to serve these dripping, messy but oh so delicious burgers with plenty of extra napkins.

Jalapeño Popper Bacon Burgers
8 oz Cream Cheese
3 Jalapeño Peppers
1-1/3 lb Ground Chuck
3 tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce
Kosher Salt to taste
Black Pepper to taste
1-1/2 cups shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese
8 slices Bacon
Spicy Olive Oil, optional
4 Hamburger Buns
1/2 cup Ranch Dressing or as desired
1 large Tomato

Unwrap cream cheese, let rest on counter to soften. Stem and dice Jalapeño Peppers. In a bowl combine ground beef, Jalapeños and Worcestershire Sauce. Season with salt and pepper. Divide ground chuck into 4 third-pound burger patties. Place paper between patties, wrap in plastic set aside.

In a small bowl, mix soft cream cheese with the sharp Cheddar. Set aside. Fry bacon until crisp. Drain on paper towels, set aside.

Heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. If desired, coat the skillet with a little Spicy Olive Oil such as Jalapeño or Habanero Olive Oil. Grill burgers in the skillet to desired doneness.

While the burgers are cooking, split buns open and spread a little Ranch Dressing on top and bottom buns. Slice tomato, place slices on the bottom buns, set aside.

Just before pulling the burgers from the skillet, move the pan from the heat and spread the cream cheese mixture over the burgers. Place bacon on top of the cream cheese spread. Let cheese soften over the the burgers.

Place burgers on the prepared buns. Serve with Seasoned Fries, and Creamy Chocolate Shakes. What’s not to enjoy?

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After mastering a Fresh Strawberry Shake, I wanted to know if the same recipe would create the perfect Chocolate Shake. That would be a definite Yup.

O Chocolate Shake Perfection
3 scoops French Vanilla Ice Cream
1/2 cup cold Milk
4 tablespoons Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
1 tablespoon Sugar
Whipped Cream finish, optional

Chill Milkshake Glasses in the freezer.

For each shake, place ice cream scoops in a blender. Add milk, blend until smooth. Add Cocoa Powder and sugar. Blend until powder has dissolved into the creamy shake base.

Pour the Chocolate Shake into a chilled glass. Hold in the refrigerator. Repeat until all the desired shakes are in glasses.

Top with whipped cream, serve with a straw and enjoy.

One final note; today is National Chocolate Mint Day. While I haven’t tried it, you might want to use Chocolate Mint Ice Cream to elevate this shake to a National Level. Have fun!

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To You, Lord, I will offer a sacrifice of praise.