Nainalicious Burger

Directions for: Nainalicious Burger

Ingredients

Pulled Pork

1 cup sugar

1 Tbsp salt

cup paprika

6 dashes liquid smoke

1 70-oz pork shoulder

Naina's BBQ Sauce

3 cups ketchup

cup brown sugar

cup molasses

tsp dry beef stock

1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

tsp hot sauce

tsp garlic powder

tsp onion powder

2 dashes liquid smoke

Caramelized Onions

3 large white onions, peeled and cut in half

2 Tbsp canola oil

1 Tbsp sugar

Burgers

35 oz lean ground beef

2 Tbsp granulated garlic

2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce

1 Tbsp hot sauce

1 tsp black pepper

1 tsp onion powder

1 egg

Assembly

18 oz aged Cheddar, shredded

1 Granny Smith apple, thinly sliced

4 Kaiser buns

Directions

Pulled Pork

1. In a small bowl, combine sugar, salt, paprika, and liquid smoke; rub over the pork shoulder.

2. Place pork shoulder in a slow cooker and cook on low for at least 12 hours, to a maximum of 18 hours. The longer the cook time, the more tender the pulled pork.

3. Meanwhile, make Naina's BBQ Sauce (recipe below).

4. Once pulled pork has finished cooking, set aside to cool.

5. Pull the pork apart into -inch pieces by hand, discarding fat and bones.

6. Add Nainas BBQ Sauce, to taste: more for saucier pulled pork, less for dryer pulled pork.

7. Set pulled pork aside until assembly.

Naina's BBQ Sauce

1. To make Nainas BBQ Sauce, combine ketchup, brown sugar, molasses, beef stock, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and liquid smoke in a large pot.

2. Simmer over low heat for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sauce reaches a thick ketchup consistency.

3. Set sauce aside until assembly.

Caramelized Onions

1. Heat oil in a large pan over low heat; add onions and stir and cook for 45 minutes, or until onions are caramel coloured, soft, and translucent.

2. Add the sugar and continue cooking for an additional 15 minutes.

3. Remove from heat and set aside until assembly.

Burgers

1. In a large bowl, mix together ground beef, granulated garlic, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, black pepper, onion powder, and the egg.

2. Divide mixture into -cup portions, rolling them into balls and flattening them into patties 6 inches in diameter.

3. Place patties on individual pieces of parchment paper and set patties aside until assembly.

Assembly

1. Preheat grill. Place four burger patties in a line.

2. Add 2 tablespoons of shredded aged Cheddar to the centre of each patty, followed by 2 tablespoons of pulled pork, a slice and a half of the Granny Smith apple, and an additional 1 tablespoon of aged Cheddar.

3. Press a second patty down over the first, squeezing around the edges to seal.

4. Using your fingers, smooth seam over until it is no longer visible.

5. Repeat with remaining patties.

6. Preheat a large pan over medium heat.

7. Place burgers in the preheated pan or skillet and cover with a lid.

8. Cook over medium heat for 4 minutes, flip burger, and continue cooking for an additional 4 minutes.

9. Move the burgers to the preheated grill and grill for 2 minutes on the first side.

10. Flip burger and top with aged Cheddar; cook for an additional 2 minutes, until burgers are at least 160F (70C) on a meat thermometer.

11. Serve burgers on a Kaiser bun with your choice of condiments.

See more: Beef, Comfort Food, Dinner, Eggs/Dairy, Pork, Slow Cook