Chew on This | Vacation Burgers

At the end of April we took the kids out of school, boarded an airplane and headed off to a tropical island. We totally went against conventional thinking and took this lovely trip after Spring Break. Hee hee haw haw! It felt disobedient, rebellious. Two traits that somehow fit harmoniously with my type-A sensibilities.

While we were away we carefully increased our vitamin D intake. We swam, but only two hours after eating. We awoke each day at a reasonable morning-ish hour. We ate quite healthfully.

The only exception we made to our rigorous adherence to routine (ehmm) was to chow down on this burger. A burger which we so cleverly refer to as the Vacation Burger. A perfect arrangement of a spicy Blue Cheese Chipotle Sauce, caramelized onions, bacon, burger and a final sprinkling of crumbled blue cheese on top. Gorgeous and defiant working agreeably together.

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Vacation Burgers

(serves 6-8)

Blue Cheese Chipotle Sauce:

2 chipotle peppers

1 T adobo sauce

1/4 C mayonnaise  

1 1/2 t mustard

1 T brown sugar

1/2 t salt

3/4 - 1 C crumbled blue cheese

Combine all of your ingredients together and puree until smooth in a food processor or blender. Set aside for later use.

Caramelized Onions:

1 T oil

2 T butter

2 large onions, halved and sliced

Prepare your caramelized onions first by heating the oil and butter in a large sauté pan over medium-low heat. Add your onions and stir to coat. Sauté onions until soft and carmel in color, about 30 minutes. Spoon onions out of the pan and place in a bowl for later use.

Vacation Burgers:
6-8 grilled hamburger patties
6-8 hamburger buns
12-16 pieces cooked bacon (2 pieces per burger)
caramelized onions
crumbled blue cheese
blue cheese chipotle sauce


Combine 2 pounds of ground beef with salt, pepper and garlic powder (amounts to your taste). Form beef into 6 or 8 patties and cook as desired (we grilled ours). When your patties are done, assemble your Vacation Burgers.


Start by spreading a thick layer of your Blue Cheese Chipotle Sauce on the bottom bun. Top sauce with your hot hamburger pattie. Next, layer on your bacon, caramelized onions and a generous helping of crumbled blue cheese. Place your hamburger bun top on and sink your teeth into delicious bliss.