Burgers and Poppers

I have two recipes that are sorta Pioneer Woman's and sorta just ours. (please note, though that the photos are all hers, isn't she amazing!?) Either way, these recipes are filled with artery clogging goodness that I'm guessing no one in their right mind would miss out on. Seriously. This is GOOD STUFF!

Our New Favorite Burger

2 pounds 80/20 Ground Beef
Texas Pete's Hot Sauce
1 Red Onion, sliced
Crumbled Feta Cheese
Real Mayonnaise
Cajun seasoning, to taste
2 Tbsp. Brown Sugar
Kaiser Rolls
Your favorite lettuce (or not)
Butter
Salt and pepper

1. Mix up the ground beef with 1 tsp. salt and 1/2 tsp. ground black pepper. Add a few dashes of hot sauce. Form the burgers into desired number of patties-- sixish is always about right for us.
2. In a medium skillet over LOW heat, melt 2 Tbsp. butter. Dump in the sliced red onion, then add the 2 Tbsp. brown sugar. Toss to combine the ingredients, then allow the onions to caramelize for about 20 minutes, tossing occasionally.
3. While the onions are caramelizing, make the spicy mayo by combining 1/4 cup mayonnaise with a few shakes of Cajun seasoning. Taste test for perfection!
4. Grill the burgers over MED / MED-HI heat. When they're almost done, lightly grill butter buns.
5. To assemble the burgers, spread the buns with spicy mayo, then burger, then caramelized onions, then crumbled feta, then greens (if you wish). Enjoy!!

Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers

10+ jalapenos
Bacon, thinly sliced
1 (80z) pkg 1/3 less fat cream cheese
2 green onions, minced
1 tsp. Cajun seasoning
Apricot jam

1. Preheat oven to 375F.
2. Combine cream cheese, green onions, and Cajun seasoning in a small bowl.
3. Prepare the jalapenos by slicing in half lengthwise, removing the seeds and white membrane. (You may want to wear gloves for this.)
4. Next, fill the jalapenos halfway with cheese mixture, then a bit of apricot jam, then wrap the whole thing in half a slice of bacon, securing with a toothpick.
5. Bake on a pan with a rack for 20 minutes at 375F. If the bacon isn't crisp enough at this point, turn on the broiler for a few minutes to finish them off. Youcan also grill these puppies, but be prepared for a bit of mess and some flare-ups!

NOTE: For make ahead goodness, these can be frozen once assembled for use at a later date. Also, you will likely have leftover cheese--this is great on crackers or just save it for when you're craving these puppies again-- like tomorrow!