Cheyenne Burger

Turkey
Ground turkey tastes great in this combo-just make sure to use a mix of white and dark meat (90 percent lean) and cook for 5 minutes per side.

Bacon
This serious burger comes with two strips of bacon.

Onion Rings
To make shoestring rings, heat 1 quart peanut oil to 360 degrees in a deep, heavy pot. Dredge thin Vidalia onion rings in flour seasoned with salt, pepper and cayenne; dip in buttermilk seasoned with salt and pepper, then dredge in more flour. Fry until golden brown, turning once or twice, about 4 minutes. Drain on paper towels; season with salt.

Cheddar
This extra-smoky burger calls for two thick slices of smoked sharp cheddar cheese.

BBQ Sauce
Ingredients
2 tablespoons canola oil
1 Spanish onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons ancho chile powder
1 tablespoon paprika
1 heaping tablespoon dijon mustard
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 chipotle chile in adobo, chopped
2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon molasses
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
Heat the oil over medium-high heat in a heavy-bottomed saucepan. Add the onion; cook until soft, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the ketchup and 1/3 cup water, bring to a boil and simmer for 5 minutes. Add the remaining ingredients (except salt and pepper); simmer for 10 minutes, or until thickened, stirring occasionally.
Transfer the mixture to a food processor; puree until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Pour into a bowl; cool to room temperature. Spoon on burgers.
Makes: 1 cup

Philly Burger

Directions
Dmitri's Perfect Patty
Shape 6 ounces of 80 percent lean ground beef chuck into a uniform patty, no more than 3/4 inch thick (don't overwork the meat). Make a depression in the center with your thumb so the burger won't bulge; the indent will rise as the patty cooks. Preheat a grill or cast-iron grill pan to high. Brush the burger with canola oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill until golden brown and slightly charred, turning once (7 minutes for medium-rare). Avoid pressing with a spatula! Add cheese for the last minute of cooking.

Provolone
Oozy cheese makes this burger: Two slices of aged provolone are added during the last minute of grilling.

Hot Peppers
I like Philly cheesesteaks with lots of pickled hot peppers, so I loads them on here, too.

Roasted Peppers
In place of classic griddled bell peppers, I use roasted red peppers, sliced into strips.

Onions
I saute thin rings of Spanish onion in canola oil until soft and golden to top off the burger.

Miami Burger

Ingredients
Serves 4
1 pound ground chuck (80 percent lean) or ground turkey (90 percent lean)
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 1/2 tablespoons canola oil
1/2 cup mayonnaise
4 cloves roasted garlic, mashed
4 hamburger buns, split
1/4 cup Dijon mustard
8 thin slices Swiss cheese
4 thin slices smoked ham
2 dill pickles, sliced into 1/4-inch-thick slices
Directions
Divide the meat into 4 equal portions (about 6 ounces each). Form each portion loosely into a 3/4-inch-thick burger and make a deep depression in the center with your thumb. Season both sides of each burger with salt and pepper. Cook the burgers using oil.

Remove the burgers to a plate.
Combine the mayonnaise and roasted garlic in a small bowl and season with salt and pepper to taste. Spread both sides of each bun with the mayonnaise and the mustard. Place a slice of cheese on each bun bottom, place a burger on top, and then top the burger with a slice of ham, another slice of cheese, and some pickle slices. Cover with the bun tops.

Cook the burgers on a sandwich press or wrap the burgers in aluminum foil and cook in a hot skillet over high heat (put a heavy skillet on top of the burgers to press them) until golden brown and the cheese has melted, about 1 1/2 minutes per side. Serve immediately.