Jalapeno Cheeseburgers with Bacon and Grilled Onions

[Rob]

This is a recipe I got from http://www.epicurious.com/ and absolutely love.If your not a big fan of some heat (though it's not too spicy as is), you can substitute green pepper for the jalapeno and can use the cayenne to taste.

                                                                                                                                   

Spicy Ranch Sauce
1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
6 tablespoons fresh lime juice
4 green onions, finely chopped
2 tablespoons minced seeded jalapeño chile
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
                                                                                   
Burgers
2 pounds ground beef
1 small onion, chopped (about 1 1/4 cups)
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon chopped seeded jalapeño chile
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
                                                                                   
Worcestershire-Coffee Glaze
1/3 cup light corn syrup
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons ketchup
1 teaspoon instant coffee crystals
2 teaspoons (packed) golden brown sugar
3 tablespoons butter
                                                                                   
16 bacon slices
                                                                                   
Nonstick vegetable oil spray
8 hamburger buns or 3- to 4-inch square focaccia rolls, split horizontally
8 lettuce leaves
2 cups coarsely shredded sharp white cheddar cheese
Assorted additional toppings (such as tomato and grilled onion slices)



For spicy ranch sauce:
Whisk all ingredients in medium bowl to blend. Season sauce with salt and pepper.

For burgers:
Gently mix all ingredients in large bowl. Form mixture into eight 1/2- to 3/4-inch-thick patties. Place on small baking sheet. Cover and chill at least 2 hours and up to 1 day.

For glaze:
Stir first 5 ingredients in small  saucepan over medium heat until coffee is dissolved. Remove from heat. Whisk in butter. Season glaze to taste with salt and pepper.



Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat).

Working in batches if necessary, cook bacon in large skillet over medium-high heat until crisp and brown. Transfer bacon to paper towels  to drain.

Spray grill rack with nonstick spray.  Toast buns until golden, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer buns, cut  side up, to plates. Place lettuce on each bun bottom.

Grill burgers 5  minutes, basting with glaze. Turn burgers, baste with glaze, and grill until cooked to desired doneness, about 5 minutes longer for medium. Press cheese atop each burger and allow cheese to melt.

Place some sauce, then 1 burger on each bun bottom. Top each with 2 slices bacon  and desired additional toppings. Cover with bun top. Serve with remaining sauce.