Meat Loaf Burgers with Caramelized Onions

Onions:
1 teaspoon olive oil
4 1/2 cups vertically sliced red onion (about 2 medium onions)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon sugar
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

Burgers:
Cooking spray
1 cup finely chopped green bell pepper
1 cup finely chopped celery
1 cup crushed whole wheat crackers (about 20 crackers)
1/3 cup ketchup, divided
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 pound ground sirloin
1 large egg
12 (1 1/4-ounce) slices rye bread, toasted

Prepare grill or broiler.

To prepare onions, heat olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over
medium-high heat. Add onion and 1/4 teaspoon salt; sauté 12 minutes or
until golden brown. Stir in sugar and vinegar; cook 30 seconds. Remove
from pan.

To prepare burgers, heat pan coated with cooking spray over medium-high
heat. Add bell pepper and celery; sauté 3 minutes or until tender.

Combine the bell pepper mixture, crackers, 1/4 cup ketchup, thyme, 1/4
teaspoon salt, beef, and egg in a large bowl. Divide mixture into 6
equal portions, shaping each into a 1/2-inch-thick patty.

Place patties on a grill rack or broiler pan coated with cooking spray;
cook 5 minutes. Carefully turn patties over; brush with remaining
ketchup. Cook 5 minutes or until done.

Place 1 patty on each of 6 bread slices. Top each patty with 1/4 cup
onion mixture and 1 bread slice. Yield: 6 servings.



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