BBQ Pork Burger with Rings & Sweet Potato Fries

This is the perfect time of year to bring out the BBQ recipes.  I love this burger because it uses pork, a favorite, instead of beef. It's time to take the heat out of the kitchen and grill, grill, grill. I was just talking about BBQ and thinking a hamburger sounded so good. But what is different? I think this is both different and fabulous! Oh, and don't forget the thyme sweet potato fries. A perfect meal for a summer afternoon.

Ingredients:
2 pounds ground pork

1 onion, minced or grated
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
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2 tablespoon butter, melted, divided
1 bottle of you favorite BBQ sauce
6 slices cheddar cheese
1 16 ounce bag frozen onion rings
12 slices bacon
6 slices tomato
6 lettuce leaves
mustard
mayo
6 artisan buns

Directions:
In a large bowl, mix all hamburger ingredients together. large bowl. Shape into six hamburger patties.

Prepare and heat outdoor grill. Brush hamburger patties with butter on both sides and place on grill.  Cook for 12 to 15 minutes, turning and grilling both sides to desired doneness.

While meat is grilling, fry or bake onion rings, according to package directions (12, 2 per burger). Fry bacon crisp and drain on paper towels.

Brush with BBQ sauce 3 to 4 minutes before you remove the meat from the grill. Lay cheese on patties while hot.

Brush buns with melted butter and grill to heat.

Assemble burgers as shown.

 

Thyme Sweet Potato Fries
Ingredients:
6 sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into medium thin fries
4 to 5 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon thyme
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon paprika

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

In a large bowl, toss sweet potatoes in olive oil. Add all seasoning to the bowl and toss again. Spread fries out on a baking sheet and bake until potatoes for 30 minutes or until they are fork tender and golden brown in color. Using tongs, toss potatoes occasionally while baking to brown all sides.It will be necessary to eat one or two as you test for doneness along the way : ).  Serve hot.