Recipe by Cynthia Hulé • Photo by Evan Henningsen

Serves 2

• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon dried onion powder
• ¼ cup mayonnaise
• 4 slices bacon
• ¼ cup fried onions
• ¼ cup blue cheese, crumbled
• 2 ground beef burger patties
• ¼ cup fresh spinach
• 1 teaspoon chopped chives

1. To make the garlic aioli, combine the minced garlic, powdered onion, and mayonnaise. Refrigerate at least 1 hour for flavors to intensify before using.
2. Cook the bacon to your liking, in a cast-iron pan turning once or in the oven at 375 degrees, turning once. Drain on paper towels.
3. Preheat a griddle, grill, or cast-iron pan. Brush cooking surface with oil and grill the burgers until desired doneness. Check with a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature is 160 degrees. Add the blue cheese crumbles to the top of the patties and allow cheese to melt.
4. To assemble the burgers, spread the garlic aioli on the bottom bun, then place the blue-cheese-covered patties. Top with spinach, fried onions, and bacon slices. Finish with the top bun.