Recipe: Pimiento Cheese Burgers (with Pimiento Cheese Topping)

PIMIENTO CHEESE BURGERS

FOR THE PIMIENTO CHEESE:
1 small white onion, grated
8 ounces sharp Cheddar cheese, grated
4 ounces mild Cheddar cheese, grated
1/2 cup mayonnaise (such as Duke's or JFG)
1 (2 ounce) jar diced pimientos, drained
Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
FOR THE BURGERS:
2 pounds 80% lean ground chuck (or 1 1/2 pounds 80% percent lean ground chuck plus 8 ounces 90% lean ground sirloin)
Kosher salt (to taste)
6 hamburger buns, preferably onion flavor
Pickled jalapeno chile slices (for serving)

TO MAKE THE PIMIENTO CHEESE:
In a medium bowl, mix together the onion, both cheeses, mayonnaise and pimientos. If you need additional mayonnaise to make it creamy, add a little at a time. Grind copious amounts of black pepper and stir that into the cheese mixture. Set aside.

TO MAKE THE BURGERS:
Divide the ground beef into six equal portions and shape into patties about 3/4 inch thick. Remember to put a slight indentation into the center of each patty. Season both sides of burgers with salt and pepper.

Oil the grill racks. Preheat your grill using all burners set on high and with the lid closed for 10 to 12 minutes.

Place the burgers on the grill and lower the heat to medium. Grill for about 5 minutes. Turn the patties and continue grilling until they reach your desired doneness, about 4 additional minutes for medium, 6 additional minutes for medium-well. During the last 2 minutes of cooking time, add the buns, cut side down. At the last minute before taking the hamburgers off the grill, put a generous spoonful of pimiento cheese on each.

TO SERVE:
Take the buns from the grill, place on a platter, set a burger on each bun bottom, add pickled jalapenos on top of the pimiento cheese, and serve.

Makes 6 servings
Source: Grillin' with Gas: 150 Mouthwatering Recipes for Great Grilled Foods by Fred Thompson