So my Twitter frieds @geokaren and @cheryltan88 told me about this thing called #letslunch, which is where a bunch of food bloggers get together and talk about delicious lunch ideas.  This week’s topic: burgers or in my case,

Spicy Pepper Cheeseburgers

So, yeah, I’ve been watching a lot of Man vs. Food on the Travel channel.  After seeing all of the spicy stuff he was scarfing down, I was compelled to do my own fiery combination.  I went with grilled jalapenos and hot sauce.  Oh, and bacon?  Lots of bacon.  (Not for the hot but because, well, everyone seems to love it.)

Making Spicy Pepper Cheeseburgers

So there are three secrets to this recipe.

First, use cast iron.  There’s just something about the way it heats up that crisps the outside of the meat to perfection!

Second, use 80% chuck.  You want a juicy burger?  You’re gonna need some fat.  80% chuck will give it to you.  Besides, the weekend’s coming up.  You’ll have plenty of time for the gym tomorrow!

Last, use Cholula hot sauce.  It’s got all the heat, flavor, and tang you will need.

You will need:

• 2 pounds 80% ground chuck
• salt and pepper
• 8 slices bacon
• 2 Jalapenos sliced (don’t remove the seeds)
• 8 slices pepper jack cheese
• 4 hamburger buns
• Cholula to taste
• Mayonnaise to taste
• Dill pickles to taste

Form the ground chuck into half pound patties each.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper on both sides.

Get the cast iron skillet very hot over a hot flame and then reduce heat to medium.  Cook the bacon and remove from the skillet, leaving the fat in the pan.

Saute the jalapenos until they start to turn soft.  Then remove.

Drain any excess fat from the skillet and allow it to get warm again.  Add the hamburgers and cook four minutes on each side.  If the bottom side is very brown, flip the burgers.  Avoid this if possible.

Add two slices of pepper jack cheese to each burger and cover with a lid or cover each burger individually with a bowl.  Let the steam melt the cheese.  Pull the burgers off the skillet and toast the buns cut side down for about a minute each.  The construct the burger with the Cholula, mayo, and pickles.

That’s my #letslunch burger!  Enjoy!

Thanks for the pic ~Twon~.