Recipe: Savory Spicy Cherry Burgers with Hot-Cocoa Dry Rub

SAVORY SPICY CHERRY BURGERS

2 lb. Black Angus ground sirloin (80 percent lean)
1 1/2 cups fresh cherries, halved, pitted and roughly diced to small pieces
1 large egg, beaten
Dry Rub Mixture (recipe follows)
Fresh mozzarella cheese
Toasted buns (for serving)
Your choice of condiments (for serving)

Mix meat, cherries and egg until well combined. Form into 4 or 5 large patties. Dredge both sides of each burger in the dry rub mixture.

Cook uncovered over hot coals, 5 minutes per side. Don't touch burgers in between flipping. Place cheese on patties after you have flipped them over.

Serve on toasted buns, top with condiments of your choice.

DRY RUB

2 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 tsp. coarse ground or kosher salt
1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
3/4 tsp. medium hot chili powder
3/4 tsp. crushed red chili flakes
2 tsp. paprika
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. onion powder
1 tsp. cumin
Pinch freshly grated nutmeg

Combine all ingredients until well combined.

Makes 4 or 5 large burgers
From: Kevin Lowry, Finalist in Beacon's Best Burger Contest, 2008
Source: Akron Beacon Journal, July 16, 2008