Bacon cheeseburgers

Continuing my "Costco rocks" thread, I have to give proper thanks to them for the Kirkland (store) brand real-crumbled-bacon-in-a-bag that they sell. I have long agreed with the notion that bacon makes most things better, and having it already cooked and ready to add to a dish is really handy. I also like when it incorporates as easily into a dish as it does when making burgers. If you know everyone will want bacon on the burger, why not put it in the burger?

So I did this past Wednesday when I decided to grill up some burgers and dogs.

I also flashed back to some burgers that I recall from my time living at my Uncle Billy's house many years ago. There was some delivery service that used to bring a variety of freezer items, if memory serves me, and among them were pre-made frozen burgers with cheese already mixed in. I loved the concept (and, frankly the burgers), but always felt like too much cheese melted out of such patties when place on the grill. They work fine in a skillet or on a flattop, but on the grill, the cheesy-goodness just tends to melt away.

For my burgers, I decided to make a nice pocket for a nice half-inch thick slice of cheddar, and sealed the burger, bacon included, around the cheese. I had mixed in a hint of barbecue sauce as well, and with a bit of garlic salt and pepper in hand, I cooked these up alongside a nice packet of Hebrew National hot dogs. (I like the casings on their dogs; they work well on the grill or off, and keep just the right amount of snap when you bite into them).

The verdict

A simple meal - burgers and dogs - but I thought is was a nice little twist. The burgers turned out juicy, and the cheese was just melted enough to let a hint break the surface before I removed them from the grill. They were amazingly tasty, simple, and satisfying, as a good burger should be. I had mine with a nice Goose Island ale. Can't wait to make them again.