for the bacon jam (Makes approximately 2 cups of jam)
500gstreaky baconroughly chopped
4large red onionspeeled and roughly chopped
4garlic clovescrushed
1bay leaf
2teaspoonssmoked paprika
1teaspoonsalt
1/3cup60ml Balsamic vinegar
1cupsoft brown sugarI used Muscavado
1cupapple juice
1cupwater
for the burgers
½red onionfinely chopped
2garlic clovescrushed
500glean beef minceground beef
½cupbread crumbs
1egg
1½teaspoonssalt
1teaspoonpepper
to serve
fresh breadrolls
lettuce
thin slices of red onion
Gorgonzolacrumbled
Instructions
To make the jam, fry the bacon and onions together until they start sticking to the bottom of the pot and start caramelising slightly. Add the garlic and bay leaf and fry for another minute.
Add the smoked paprika, salt and balsamic vinegar and stir to combine.
Add the sugar, apple juice and water.
Stir until the sugar has dissolved and allow to simmer on high heat for 5 minutes.
Turn the heat down and let the jam simmer for 45 minutes to an hour, uncovered, until the liquid has reduced and thickened slightly. (The liquid that remains in the post should be able to cover a spoon easily but not be too syrupy or thick)
With a hand blender (or in a food processor), blend the jam until there are no big chunks of onion/bacon left.
Carefully transfer the jam into a sterilised jam jar and allow to cool before placing in the fridge. (Best eaten at room temperature)
To make the burgers, fry the onion and garlic in a little olive oil until soft and translucent. Then combine all the ingredients for the patties and mix well.
Form 4 patties and fry in a large, cast-iron frying pan/skillet for 3-4 minutes per side until the patties are cooked to your liking.
Serve the cooked patties on the fresh breadrolls with bacon jam, lettuce, red onion and crumbled Gorgonzola cheese.