SMOKY BACON BURGERS

Steps:

• Combine the ground beef, onion, egg yolk, salt, pepper, and liquid smoke in a medium bowl and mix well.
• The mixture should be soft, yet hold its shape.
• Add up to 1/2 cup bread crumbs if mixture will not come together.
• Mix with your hands-- like a man should!
• Feel free to add small amounts of any other seasonings you think would add to the flavor.
• I like to add a bit of minced garlic, seasoned salt, cayenne, etc.
• Have fun with it.
• Divide the mixture into four equal portions and form into patties that are about the diameter of the buns you'll be using.
• This should make them fairly thin and large.
• Wrap a slice of bacon around the center of each patty and secure with toothpicks.
• Chill in refrigerator at least 1 hour or up to 8 hours to chill and firm up the patties.
• Bring patties up to room temperature while preparing a hot fire in grill.
• Throw on a few water-logged mesquite wood chunks and grill the burgers to your liking, removing the toothpicks before turning over.
• While the burgers are on the grill, lightly toast the buns under the broiler or on the grill.
• Be sure you have the large hamburger buns, not those puny ones like you see in McDonald's happy meals.
• You're making man-sized burgers here!
• Place the hamburger patties, buns, tomatoes, lettuce, and anything else you want to use to build your burger, on individual plates and let each person make their own.
• These burgers go great with potato chips, macaroni salad, baked beans, and corn on the cob for a fantastic Summer meal.
• A chocolate pudding or slice of cream pie makes a great dessert.
• This recipe can be doubled or tripled or whatever to serve as many as you need.
• Enjoy!