Cheddar Apple BBQ Burgers

OMG YES! GET EXCITED! These burgers were to. die. for. Simple, easy, ridiculously phenomenal burgers that you'll probably want to eat ten of. More on that in a moment.

I think I should start a fashion blog. Or perhaps just another section on this blog for fashion. If you know me at all, you're probably really worried about me after those two sentences — and with good reason! Here's my thought: FOOD BLOGGER FASHION. I cannot be the only one that wears my Christmas jammies (matching top and bottom) with silly short Ugg boots, all the while with a dirty apron overtop. I happen to think I look smashing, but I think the world as a whole might pick an entirely different word to describe me. {ridiculous? insane? fashion challenged?}

When it comes to my "work uniform" there are some real considerations: it has to be comfy, not too warm, not too cold, stretchy, and appropriate attire in case I have to answer the door. This last one means if I ever DON'T have pants on (which, lets me honest, is most of the time), I'm breaking workplace etiquette and usually feel guilty enough by noon to put on a pair of leggings. As for the temperature, I get warm when I'm in the kitchen cooking, but we also keep our house pretty cool — and especially if I'm photographing in our sunroom (NOT insulated) in the winter, I have to have layers to keep my body temp right where I want it. Which I'm actually quite OCD about. Usually a down vest does the trick.

As for the "stretchy" requirement, which rolls right into comfy, I'll give you a little verbal sneak peak of how ridiculous I look when I photograph: I'm set up in the corner of our sunroom, which is highly visible to the sidewalk and street (which is quite busy, as we're right near campus). The room is entirely windows, except for the front door. I have my backdrop at about waist-height and usually photograph in one of two positions: either I'm standing on my right leg, with my left leg up at hip level on the window sill, OR I'm standing on my little step stool, again with my left food up on the window sill, leaning over the food.

Both of those are super attractive, I know. Either way, I'm hunched over and scrunching my face into a weird photography face that I can't seem to get rid of. I've tried. All of this is to say: my "fashion" choices are highly dictated by my daily movements. OH — I shouldn't forget that I take breaks to do handstands in our (now vacant) guest room at least once each hour. So stretchy is, again, important!

I really would be curious to see other food bloggers daily outfits. I'm guessing most people don't stray far from my norm of PJs or yoga clothes — although I know some food bloggers are about 100000x more fashionable than I am, so perhaps they actually put on REAL clothes and look like adults! Aaah adulthood. I'm still figuring you out.

Should we talk about burgers? I can sum up my thoughts on burgers pretty succinctly: YUM. I love burgers. One thing I love about living in Montana is the abundance of delicious burgers — although, one of the best burgers I've had recently was actually in Kansas City this weekend. My recent obsession, as a kid who never ever ever ate it, is barbecue sauce! It's so darn delicious! Why didn't I learn about it sooner? Like... 26 years ago? LOVE IT.

These burgers are really simple to throw together — top the cooked burger with a cored ring of apple, then a heaping pile of shredded cheese (I used cheddar, but I think pepperjack would also be amazing!), broil until that all melts, then serve with a hefty dose of bbq sauce. Done and done! Good luck not eating fifty!

Cheddar Apple BBQ Burgers

• Author: by Mary
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 20 mins
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Ingredients

Units USM Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 tsp olive oil
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp ground pepper
• 1 apple, cored and sliced into ¼" thick rings
• 1 ⅓ cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 4 hamburger buns
• barbecue sauce
• greens of your choice (I used baby kale)

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Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, olive oil, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Mix together thoroughly with your hands, taking care to not "squeeze" the meat too much. Set aside and let rest for 30 minutes before proceeding.
2. Form the meat into four patties and cook in a heavy skillet over medium heat for about 4 minutes each side (depending on how done you like your burger).
3. When the burgers are done, place them all on a baking sheet. Top each burger with a thin layer of barbecue sauce, then an apple ring, then about ⅓ cup shredded cheese. Broil until the cheese is fully melted.
4. Serve on hamburger buns with greens, and topped with more barbecue sauce.

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Notes

If you want to toast your buns, cut them in half and broil them 3" under the broiler (WATCH THEM) until golden.