PIMIENTO CHEESE AND BACON BURGER

FOR THE PIMIENTO CHEESE:
4 tablespoons cream cheese
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 cup sharp cheddar, shredded
Salt and cayenne pepper, to taste
1 (2 ounce) jar sliced pimientos, drained
FOR THE BURGERS:
2 pounds ground chuck
Ground black pepper
4 slices onion, 1/4 inch thick
FOR SERVING:
4 Kaiser rolls, split, toasted
12 strips thick-sliced bacon, cooked
Green leaf lettuce
Tomato slices

Preheat grill to medium-high.

In a food processor, combine the cream cheese, mayonnaise, cheddar, salt and cayenne. Add pimientos; pulse to combine.

Shape ground chuck into eight (4-ounce) portions on wax paper. Press each portion into a patty using a fork, then season with salt and pepper.

Top four patties with a slice of onion. Cover with remaining patties, seal edges with a fork, and season again.

Grill burgers on an oiled grate for 4 minutes; flip and cook 2 minutes longer. Spoon 1/4 cup pimiento cheese mixture on each burger; grill 2 minutes longer, or until cooked through.

Serve burgers on the rolls with bacon, lettuce and tomato.

Makes 4 burgers
Source: Cuisine at Home magazine, June 2007