Bacon-powered Patty melt

damn. this is so good. i ate the whole thing. and now i’m so full. be warned.

This is a tasting table test kitchen recipe. if you don’t subscribe, perhaps you should think about doing so.

2 bacon strips, sliced crosswise into ½-inch pieces

1½ teaspoons caraway seeds

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided

1 medium yellow onion, halved and thinly sliced lengthwise

2¼ teaspoons kosher salt, divided

¾ pound 85% lean ground beef [my pack of meat was .89 pounds and I made three – not two patties from it]

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

¼ teaspoon garlic powder

2 tablespoons mayonnaise

4 slices rye bread

4 slices Swiss cheese

Take your bacon. If it is not coming from the freezer already, put it in there for 20 mins. [snacko backo tip- when i buy bacon i seran wrap it 2 piece bundles for freezer]. Meanwhile, take a dry skillet and toast the caraway seeds about a minute and a half- will become fragrant. take off heat and put them aside. take your onions, thinly slice them [mandoline is helpful here if you have one]. Put a tablespoon and a half of butter on skillet on med-high heat. Melt butter. add onions. Cook for a 3-5 mins until they slightly brown. add 1 1/4 tsp of salt [3/4 prob enough]. and reduce to med-low for another 10 mins to caramelize. Then. take off heat. Now- take that bacon from your freezer. chop it in 1/2 slices and put it in a food processor until crumbly and ground. In a medium bowl- put bacon, ground beef, mustard, worcestchire, garlic powder, pepper, 1 tsp salt. Mix [with your hands] and form patties. the patties – i did three- should be kinda long and flat- like the shape of your bread. Now- on skillet- put remaining 1/2 tablespoon of butter [really, you don’t need more because bacon and beef fat comes out.] Cook 5 to 6 mins total. A nice crust will form. I did 3 mins each side, i think. Take off heat. Clean skillet. Then, take your rye bread. If making two sandwiches, take all four slices of bread and spread mayo on one side of each. Pick up a slice in your hand- mayo side facing your palm. Add cheese, patty, and pile and onion. Put on top bread- mayo is facing out on both sides. Heat clean pan on medium. Throw your sammy down. Cook four to 5 mins per side- to get it nice and golden and melt the cheese.

mmmmm….