Ingredients:

1 lb 80% lean organic grass fed ground beef or bison meat
2 T or so of your favorite steak sauce
1 T or so of your favorite southwest seasoning – I love Prudhomme’s Meat Magic
1-3 jalapenos – depends upon the size, how hot they happen to be, and if you like jalapenos, slice and remove the seeds and membranes if you want to cut the heat.

Toppings:

Your favorite BBQ sauce to brush on the burgers while they cook (I love Austin’s Own Chipotle)
3 thick slices super sharp cheddar cheese
6 thick cut super lean Applewood Smoked Bacon, well browned but not too crispy
3 slices of the best tomato possible
3 slices of onion

Directions:

Mix the burger, sauce, seasoning, and jalapenos up in a bowl using your hands to thoroughly incorporate everything. Inhale deeply. You should not mostly smell meat. It should make you say “Dang! That smells great!” If it doesn’t, add more steak sauce and seasoning.

Shape these into three burger patties and set in the fridge on a plate covered with plastic wrap until you it’s time to grill.

While the grill is heating up, pan fry (or bake or nuke) the Applewood Smoked Bacon. Set aside covered and hold until dinner. This is also a good time to set out the cheddar cheese and the burgers so they come to room temperature. If you have a cat, put the meat in the microwave! Trust me.

Slice the tomatoes and onions and set on a small plate.

When the grill is ready, brush the burgers with your favorite barbecue sauce and grill. Brush with more sauce as they grill. Finish by melting the cheese on each burger with the grill lid closed. When the cheese has melted, set them at the table. Top with bacon and onion. Also delicious with more barbecue sauce, steak sauce, avocado, and jalapeno slices.

The Rocket Burger Story:

Why are they called Rocket Burgers? The original burger was part of an advertising campaign put out by the Texas grocer HEB when Roger Clemens was a Houston Astro. The ad showed him grilling burgers as an ad for their beef. For a while there, we called them Turncoat Burgers because of his defection to that New York team that will remain nameless. But, we have forgiven him a little now since he suffered so much in the steroid scandal and now call them Rocket Burgers once again.

If you are going to have a burger, have one done the right way, don’t fuss the calories (just have them less often) – don’t forget to slowly and mindfully enjoy every last wonderful bite.