Burger and Fries Friday: Bacon Cheddar Burgers with Corn and Bacon Relish

It's been a while since I made a recipe that I had to share with you right away, but this burger is definitely one of those recipes. After a long couple of days with Andrew, including a night in the pediatric emergency room due to a high fever (he's on the mend now), I felt like we could all use some comfort food. I made these burgers for dinner last night, and they were everything I was hoping for -- and more. 

The burgers themselves are seasoned simply with just salt and pepper, but then they're topped with cheddar cheese, bacon, and a corn and bacon relish made with jalapenos, red onion, and maple syrup. They're served on toasted buns slathered with avocado mayonnaise. SO GOOD.

The maple syrup may sound like an odd ingredient, but Joe and I both agreed that it was the star of the relish. It served to highlight the sweetness of the corn, the saltiness of the bacon, and the spiciness of the jalapenos, all at once. This relish is hands-down my new favorite condiment, and I'm now on the hunt for ways to use it in many, many other dishes.

Bacon Cheddar Burgers with Corn and Bacon Relish
adapted from Iowa Girl Eats

For the burgers:

4 burger patties
Salt and pepper
4 slices sharp cheddar cheese
4 strips of bacon
4 hamburger buns, split and toasted

For the corn and bacon relish:

4 strips of bacon, chopped
1 tablespoon butter
3 ears of fresh sweet corn, with the kernels cut off the cobs
1 jalapeno, seeded and minced
Half of a red onion, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon maple syrup

For the avocado mayonnaise:

1 avocado, peeled and pitted
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup mayonnaise

1. In a large skillet, cook the four strips of bacon for the burger over medium high heat. Remove to paper towels to drain. Season the burger patties with salt and pepper and add to warm bacon drippings. Cook, turning once, until burgers are cooked to desired doneness. Turn the heat off; place cheese slices on top of burgers and one strip of the cooked bacon on top of each slice of cheese. Cover to allow the cheese to melt.

2. Heat a second large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped bacon and cook until crispy. Melt in butter, then add jalapeno and red onion to the skillet. Cook until the onion is softened, then add garlic and cook and stir for 30 seconds. Add the corn and continue to cook until corn is just tender, about 2-3 minutes. Stir in maple syrup and salt and remove the skillet from the heat.

3. Mash avocado flesh with lemon juice and salt. Add in the mayonnaise. Spread the mixture equally on the bottom of each bun. Top each bun with a cheeseburger patty and sweet corn relish.