BBQ Bacon Sliders with Feta Cheese and Crispy Onions Burgers
1.5 lbs Ground Beef
1/2 C Bullseye Brand BBQ Sauce (I didn't measure...just smother it)
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
Foccacia Rolls, toasted (we found these at Trader Joes...you could also use a different fancy bread) 8-10 crisp lettuce leaves
8-10 slices bacon, cooked crisp (Since Aaron doesn't eat pork, we did it without the bacon and it was still delicious)
Garlicky Blue Cheese Spread
1/2 c. mayonnaise
1/4 tsp. Kosher salt
1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1 Tbsp. red wine vinegar (we used Pompeian brand)
1 clove garlic, pressed or finely minced
1/4 c. feta cheese
Crispy Shoe String Onions (they may look complicated, but they are really simple and quick) Garlicky Feta Cheese Spread: Combine mayonnaise, salt, pepper, red wine vinegar and garlic. Mix well and stir in feta. Store in refrigerator until ready to use. Burgers: Heat a grill pan on the stove top, or an outdoor grill to medium-high heat. Combine beef, 2 tablespoons barbecue sauce, salt and pepper. Divide and shape mixture (keep the size of your buns in mind as wells the fact that the burgers will shrink quite a bit while cooking when shaping the patties). Grill for 2-3 minutes and then flip. Brush the top side of each burger with remaining sauce. Continue grilling for another 2 minutes and flip burgers again, brushing the other side with additional sauce. Continue to cook and baste until the internal temperature of the burgers reach 160-165 degrees.
To assemble: Lightly spread the bottom half of each bun with Garlicky Blue Cheese Spread and top with a lettuce leaf. Break each bacon piece in half and place on top of lettuce leaves. Place burger on top and drizzle with additional barbecue sauce if desired. Top with a small handful of Crispy Shoestring Onions. Spread remaining Garlicky Feta Cheese Spread on top halves of buns.
