Ingredients
2 pounds ground sirloin
1 medium onion, peeled and cut in 1/2
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce, (eyeball it)
2 chipotles in adobo and 2 tablespoons of adobo sauce
2 tablespoons grill seasoning, (a couple of palmfuls), (such as Montreal Steak Seasoning by McCormick brand)
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), plus some for drizzling
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
3 tablespoons brown sugar
1/4 cup vinegar
1 can crushed fire roasted tomatoes (15 ounces), about 2 cups
Salt and pepper
12 slices, 1/2-inch thick, brick-cut smoked Cheddar or sharp Cheddar, (such Cabot brand), (optional)
12 small round rolls, split
(Many markets sell mini Keiser rolls or use dinner rolls in any flavor you like)
Directions
Pre-heat grill pan to high. Place the meat in a bowl. Cut the onion in half. Grate half the onion into the meat using the small grate on a box grater. Chop and reserve the other half onion. Add Worcestershire, chipotles and sauce and grill seasoning to burgers. Drizzle a little EVOO over the bowl and mix meat. Score the meat into 4 sections. Make 3 mini-burgers, each 3 inches wide, 1-inch thick, from each half-pound of meat. Heat a small sauce pot over medium heat. Add EVOO and garlic. Cook garlic 2-3 minutes then add sugar and vinegar, cook 2 minutes more and stir in tomatoes. Season sauce with salt and pepper and allow it to reduce 5-6 minutes more. Grill meat 2-3 minutes on each side and top with cheese, if you like. Place burgers on buns and top with raw chopped onions and warm fire roasted ketchup and serve.