Peppered Candied Bacon & Egg Burgers on Ciabatta Bread: Best Burgers I have ever made!

For number 11 of the 30 Rachael Ray recipes in my challenge, I picked a burger. The name is a long, but I was like what the heck do you call this wondrous delight. This is not any burger....  

Your first bite makes some of the yolk run into the rest of the burger, then you get some crunch from the bacon and veggies, and last your taste buds glide on to homeplate with the melted cheese, well seasoned beef, and soft bun. I don't even remember what I served with this burger.... it was that good! Each part of it is so unique but the flavors balance each other out like a tight rope walker - absolutely perfect! 

I picked this recipe because burgers are easy, fast, family food. This whole recipe is faster than take out. Burgers are definitely weekend football food too. (Go Seattle Seahawks!) 

Try these good eats compliments of Rachael Ray's Everyday magazine, issue October 2012 or as seen here on the website. Followed the recipe almost exactly, except to modify it to fit my family's serving size of 3 and use my favorite kind of bread. I heart Ciabatta bread!  Adjust it to fit your family and have a wonderful weekend!! 

Recipe's ingredients

5 pieces of thick cut pepper bacon
2 Tbs good pure maple syrup
1 lb lean ground beef
2 Tbs worcestershire sauce
2 Tbs finely chopped onion
2 Tbs grainy dijon mustard
approx. 1 tsp course salt & 1/2 tsp black pepper
3 slices of cheddar cheese (1 per burger)
nonstick spray
3 eggs (we only used 2 and didn't put one on the kid's - his mouth is only so big)
condiments of your choice such as ketchup, mayo, sweet pickles, sour pickles, mustard, lettuce, tomato, white or red onion, fresh spinach (whatever makes you smile)
3 Ciabatta Rolls/buns 

How to Make It

1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees and bake your bacon on a baking sheet for approx. 15 minutes - bacon should be almost completely cooked. 

2. Spread the maple syrup over the bacon and bake it for another 6-8 minutes until its yummy and crisp like candy. If you have never done it before. Try a tiny piece and work hard for the rest of the meal to keep your hands away from the candy you have just made. 

3. While the bacon is cooking, heat a small skillet with the non stick spray and start frying your eggs up on low so they get done the same time as everything else. 

4. While the bacon and eggs are cooking (sounds like a breakfast recipe in here - doesn't it?) start the burgers. In a large bowl combine the chopped onion, beef, mustard, and worcestershire sauce. Start heating up a heavy a heavy pan. You want to hear that sizzle when you first put the meat in. Form 3 patties and put them into the hot skillet and then turn it down to medium to cook. Sprinkle the side facing up the salt and pepper to get that nice crust when you flip it. Cook for about 7 minutes each side or to your preferred doneness... I know some people still like their burgers still mooing. 

5. After you flip the burgers, add the cheese to the top of the burger so it has time to melt. Toss the rolls into the oven to toast - since your oven is already on or still warm from cooking the bacon. 

this one is mine...mustard, tomato slices, bacon, avocado slices, egg, cheese and fresh spinach = Yum!!

Serve everything up & enjoy. Perfect sides would be corn on the cob (if you can find it), baked potatoes or some kind of french fries (homemade or store bought), potato salad, or any kind of salad, homemade easy creamed corn, chips & salsa and of course your family and friends to help you eat this all. 

homemade baked steak fries

from my kitchen to yours