Smoked Cheddar Sliders with Spiced Lingonberry Ketchup

Ingredients

Makes 8-10 sliders

For the ketchup:

1 Tbs. neutral oil

½ cup finely diced onion (about ½ small onion)

1 Tbs. tomato paste

½ tsp. ground ginger

¼ tsp. ground clove

¼ tsp. cinnamon

¼ tsp. cumin

¼ tsp. chipotle powder

¼ tsp. salt

⅛ tsp. black pepper

¼ cup Darbo wild lingonberry sauce

1 Tbs. apple cider vinegar

¼ cup water

For the sliders:

1 lb ground beef or ground turkey

1 shallot, minced

½ cup panko breadcrumbs

2 Tbs. chopped fresh parsley

½ tsp. garlic powder

½ tsp. paprika

½ tsp. salt

¼ tsp. cumin

⅛ tsp. black pepper

1 Tbs. neutral oil

6 oz. smoked cheddar cheese, shredded

8-10 slider buns

Sliced red onion (optional)

Preparation

Make the sauce:

Heat the oil in a small saucepan over medium heat and add the onions with a pinch of salt. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the tomato paste and spices, and cook for 1 minute. Add the remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer until thickened, 10-12 minutes. Set aside to cool.

Make the sliders:

In a large bowl, mix the ground meat with the shallot, breadcrumbs, and spices. Add ½ cup of smoked cheddar cheese to the slider mixture and mix until combined. Using your hands, form 2.5-3 inch patties and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium high. Cook the patties for 4 minutes and flip. Place about 1 Tbs. of cheese on top of each patty, cover the skillet, and steam for 4-5 minutes until the cheese is melted and the meat is cooked through. Repeat with the remaining patties.

Place each slider on a bun. Top with the lingonberry ketchup and sliced red onion if desired.