Big Mike Burger

Ingredients

Patty #1:

Pecan Burger:

• 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
• 6 slices bacon
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans
• 3 tablespoons chopped parsley leaves
• 2 tablespoons grated onion
• 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter, softened

Patty #2:

Butter Burger:

• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 1/2 pounds ground beef or ground chuck
• 4 tablespoons butter, cut into small cubes
• 4 ounces American cheese, cut into 6 portions

Special Sauce for the "Big Mike":

• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup yellow mustard
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• Hot sauce
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped pickled jalapenos

To serve:

• 12 hamburger buns
• 6 leaves lettuce
• 6 tomato slices
• 6 onion slices

Directions

Patty #1:

Pecan Burger:

Preheat broiler or grill. Divide ground beef into 12 flat patties. Partially saute bacon - the fat should start rendering, but it shouldn't be crispy. Drain bacon. Mix pecans, parsley, onion, and butter together. Spread mixture on 6 of the patties. Top with remaining 6 patties and seal the edges with the partially sauteed bacon and secure with a wooden toothpick. Broil or grill 10 to 15 minutes, or until cooked to desired doneness, turning once.

Patty #2:

Butter Burger:

Salt and pepper the beef, to taste. Mix beef and cubed butter together with your hands and form 6 balls. Push a piece of American cheese into the center of each ball. Mold ground beef around the cheese in the shape of a patty. Cook on hot grill or in skillet to desired doneness.

Special Sauce for the "Big Mike":

Stir all ingredients together until well blended.

To Serve:

Place 1 pecan burger on a bottom piece of 6 buns. Top with another bottom piece of bun and the butter burger. Top with sauce, lettuce, tomato, onion and a top piece of the bun. Discard or save for another use the remaining 6 top bun pieces.