Sliders

Sliders

Make 12 sliders Time:20 minutes
- 1 pound hamburger (80/15 mix, to make 12 slider-size 2-inch round hamburger patties)
- Course salt
- 3 slices bacon
- 2 Tablespoons real maple syrup
- 1 1/2 Tablespoons brown sugar
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 heaping Tablespoon chili sauce
- 4 teaspoons sweet BBQ sauce
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon sweet pickle juice
- 12 Slider Buns (2 1/2 inches round. (Hamburger bun recipe Half/Wheat, Half/White page 253))
- 1/2 cup Colby or Jack Cheese (grated)
- 1/4 cup arugula (optional)
- From the sliders into 2 inch patties. Season both sides generously with coarse salt and fresh ground black pepper.
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Place the bacon on a small baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes more. Remove the bacon to paper towels to soak up the extra grease.
- Make the sauce: In a small bowl put the mayonnaise, chili sauce, sweet BBQ sauce, Worcestershire and sweet pickle juice. Mix. Set aside.
- When the bacon is cool, stack them and cut into 4 equal pieces. You will have 12 small pieces of bacon. Set aside.
- Turn the oven to broil. Place patties on a broiler pan or in a black iron skillet. Broil the sliders on the middle oven rack for 5 minutes, turn and place a piece of bacon on top, a teaspoon of grated cheese on top of the bacon. Broil until cooked through about another 4 minutes. Remove.
- Cut the slider buns almost all the way through. Lay out on a baking sheet. Quickly run the buns under the broiler and toast until light brown.
- Put a dab of sauce on the bottom bun and then a hamburger patty. Top with a piece of arugula and serve immediately.
- Serve with: Potato chips; Warm Orzo Salad with Chicken page 259, Spinach Salad page 265.