Football is big in our house, especially ACC football. What that means for me is football snacks!!! Lets get real for a minute – while I can get excited about some games (like UNC games, games with former UNC players, or games with my fantasy team players) most of the time I get a little bored, especially towards the end of the season. My solution? Making fun, tasty, football food! This also is an appropriate time to confess that I have a borderline obsession with the Pioneer Woman. I really do love her! I think she is so witty, down to earth, and makes really good and approachable food. Football is big in her house too and she has a lot of great game-day recipes! One day while watching a marathon of her show on TV, I saw her make her Spicy Whiskey BBQ Sliders and knew that I would have to try my own spin on them. I knew right away that I wanted to make a few variations to her recipe, namely adding cheddar cheese and caramelized onions! Since I would be adding caramelized onions to the top of the burger I decided to omit the onions in the sauce and upped the amount of jalapenos for some extra spice! I also added more BBQ sauce to the sauce base to allow for a thicker sauce. Since I didn’t have an bourbon handy I decided to omit the alcohol. I’m sure it would have been tasty but I honestly didn’t miss anything. I also think that making these in a cast iron skillet is a must. If you don’t have one, you should definitely get one! Even if you don’t think you would like a BBQ burger, try these, they will change your life! Not really, but really! 🙂

Bold Bourbon BBQ Sliders

Ingredients

1.25-1.5 lbs ground beef
1 large onion, sliced
a bottle of BBQ sauce (KC Masterpiece or Jack Daniels are great)
1/2 cup sliced jarred jalapenos, drained and diced
butter
salt and pepper
12 dinner rolls or slider buns
sliced sharp cheddar cheese

Directions

Form the beef into 12 thin, miniature patties, making them thinner than you would think, and sprinkle salt and pepper on both sides. In a smaller skillet, start to cook the onions with a tablespoon of butter. Allow them to continue cooking on medium low heat until caramelized. In another skillet (preferably cast-iron) melt a few tablespoons of butter in a skillet over medium-high heat and cook the patties until just about done in the middle (medium), about 3-4 minutes. Remove the patties from the skillet and set aside. Drain off excess grease. Reduce the heat to low and add in about 1/2 to 2/3 of the bottle of BBQ sauce and diced jalapenos. Once the sauce is combined, place the patties in the barbecue sauce, turning to coat. Allow the patties to simmer in the sauce until everything’s hot and bubbly, being careful not to overcook the meat. While everything is cooking, slice the buns/rolls in half and place a piece of sliced sharp cheddar on each half. Toast in a 375° oven until the cheese is melted and the buns are warm and slightly crusty. Place the patties on individual buns and be sure to spoon extra sauce (with the jalapenos!) over the top and add the caramelized onions before topping with the other half of the cheesy bun. Enjoy with some extra napkins!

Much Love,
M