Beef Burgers with Peanut-Chipotle Barbecue Sauce

Beef Burgers with Peanut-Chipotle Barbecue Sauce (Adapted from Food and Wine)

1 tablespoon canola oil
3/4 cup finely chopped onion
2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup tomato puree
3 tablespoons ancho chile powder
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons ketchup
2 tablespoons molasses
1 1/2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 minced chipotle chile in adobo sauce
1/2 cup water
2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
salt and fresh ground black pepper
4 burger buns, split and toasted
12 ounces ground beef chuck
12 ounces ground sirloin
3 ounces shredded cheddar cheese
lettuce and sliced tomato, for serving

In a medium saucepan, heat oil over medium. Add onion and ginger - cook until softened, about 5 minutes to 6 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add tomato puree, ancho chile powder, honey, ketchup, molasses, mustard, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, chipotle and water. Bring mixture to a simmer - reduce heat to low and cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 30 minutes. Scoop sauce into a food processor or blender - add peanut butter and puree until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.

Meanwhile, preheat grill or grill pan.

In a medium bowl, mix together ground chuck and sirloin - form into four 1" thick patties and season with salt and pepper. Press your thumb in the middle of each burger to make an indent - this helps keep the burger from being misshapen once it has cooked.

Spread toasted buns with a portion of the barbecue sauce.

Place patties onto the grill over high heat and cook, turning only once, until just short of the desired degree of doneness. Brush burgers with some of the sauce and grill until lightly glazed, about 2 minutes. Distribute the cheese on top of the burgers - close lid and cook just until the cheese has melted, about 1 minute. Assemble burgers using the toasted buns, lettuce, tomato slices and glazed patties to serve.

Makes 4 burgers.

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