JULY 4th OR WHENEVER

Cheddar Burgers With Balsamic Onions And Chipotle Ketchup

The all-American cheeseburger gets a makeover, courtesy of grilled onions, a spicy-smoky ketchup, and an English muffin "bun."

6 servings

Recipe by Tony Rosenfeld

Photograph by Nigel Cox

July 2008

Ingredients

Onions

• 1 pound red onions, cut crosswise into 1/3- to 1/2-inch-thick rounds
• Olive Oil
• 3/4 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

Chipotle ketchup

• 1 cup ketchup
• 1 1/2 teaspoons chopped chipotle chiles from canned chipotles in adobo* plus 2 tabelspoons adobo sauce from can
• 2 teaspoons (or more) balsamic vinegar

Burgers

• 2 1/4 pounds ground beef (15% to 20% fat)
• Coarse kosher salt
• 6 thick slices sharp cheddar cheese
• 6 large English muffins or hamburger buns, split, cut sides grilled
• 6 tomato slices (optional)
• 2 cups fresh spinach leaves

Preparation

For Onions

• Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat): Arrange onion rounds on baking sheet. Brush with oil; sprinkle with 3/4 teaspoon coarse salt and pepper. Transfer onion rounds (still intact) to grill rack; close cover. Cook until grill marks appear, about 4 minutes per side. Reduce heat or move onions to cooler part of grill. Close cover; cook until onions are tender, about 10 minutes. Transfer to medium bowl. Toss with vinegar. DO AHEAD: Can be made 3 days ahead. Cover; chill.

For chipotle ketchup

• Mix ketchup, chiles, adobo sauce, and 2 teaspoons vinegar in small bowl. Season with salt and more vinegar, if desired. DO AHEAD: Can be made 3 days ahead. Cover and chill.

For burgers

• Shape beef into six 1/2-inch thick patties. Sprinkle patties on both sides with coarse salt and pepper. Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat). Place burgers on grill. Close cover; cook burgers until bottoms start to darken and juices rise to surface, about 3 minutes. Turn burgers; cook to desired doneness, about 3 minutes longer for medium-rare. Top with onions and cheese. Close cover; cook until cheese melts. Place muffin bottoms on plates; spread with ketchup. Top with burgers, tomatoes, if desired, spinach, and muffin tops. Serve, passing remaining ketchup separately.