Pork Burger

Pork Burger with Apple-Onion Jam and Apple Coleslaw
Yields 6 burgers

In a burger-crazed world, this burger is a standout. The ground pork makes it unique, and, although slaw is usually found on hotdogs, it’s a welcome addition here.

What you need:
2 ¼ pounds ground pork
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon Caraway Rub (recipe to follow)
12 tablespoons Apple-Onion Jam (recipe to follow)
1½ cups Apple Coleslaw (prepare ½ recipe, omitting the Spicy Walnuts)
9 strips cooked bacon, halved
9 slices white cheddar cheese
6 each potato rolls, toasted

Apple-Onion Jam

What you need:
1 tablespoon canola oil
2½ cups finely-diced yellow onions
3 cups tart apples, peeled and finely diced
3 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon salt
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
5 each sprigs thyme
2 teaspoons mustard seeds

What to do:
To prepare the Apple-Onion Jam: In a 2-quart, heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat, sauté the onions in canola oil for 5 to 7 minutes, or until the onions begin to caramelize. Add all the remaining ingredients, cover, and reduce the heat to low. Cook 15 minutes, or until the apples are tender and mash easily with a fork. Remove from the heat, uncover, and let the jam cool completely to room temperature. Refrigerate in an airtight container until ready to use. The jam will keep, refrigerated, for 5 days.
Prepare the Caraway Rub, and half the Apple Coleslaw recipe.
In a medium bowl, add the ground pork and Caraway Rub and use your hands to gently mix. Divide and shape the ground pork into 6 patties. When you are ready to cook, heat the grill to 450 degrees F, using the direct grilling method.
Place the pork patties directly on the grill and cook 5 minutes, then flip them and cook an additional 5 minutes, or until a meat thermometer placed in the thickest part of the meat reads an internal temperature of 140 degrees F.
One minute before you remove the burgers from the grill, top the patties with cheese and heat just long enough to melt the cheese.
To assemble, spread 1 tablespoon Apple-Onion Jam on each half of the rolls (2 total tablespoons per roll). Place the burger patties with melted cheese, and 3 halves bacon on the bottom half of each roll. Top with about ¼ cup Apple Slaw and the remaining half of the roll, and serve immediately.

Caraway Rub
Yields a generous 1/3 cup

What you need:
3 tablespoons kosher salt
1 tablespoon freshly ground pepper
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1 tablespoon freshly ground caraway
1 teaspoon granulated garlic
½ teaspoon granulated onion

What to do:
In a medium bowl, mix all ingredients together thoroughly. Store in an airtight container until ready to use.