Sirloin Burgers with Spicy Berry Ketchup

Yield: 6 burgers.

Spicy Berry Ketchup:
2 tsp. vegetable oil
1 small yellow onion, finely choped
1 serrano or jalapeno chile, seeded and minced
1 garlic clove, minced
1⁄2 pkg. (3⁄4 cup) Driscoll’s Blueberries
1⁄2 pkg. (2⁄3 cup) Driscoll’s Raspberries
2 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar
1 Tbsp. brown sugar
1⁄4 tsp. kosher salt
pinch each of ground cinnamon, ground ginger, ground cloves and crushed hot red pepper

Sirloin Burgers:
1 1⁄2 lb. ground sirloin (93% lean)
1 1⁄4 tsp. kosher salt
1⁄2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
6 reduced-calorie sandwich rolls
6 leaves green leaf lettuce

For ketchup: Heat oil in small saucepan over medium-low heat. Add onion and cover. Cook, stirring often until golden, about 4 minutes. Add chile and garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add 1⁄2 pkg. blueberries and 1⁄2 package raspberries, vinegar, brown sugar, salt and spices. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Cook until juices thicken and form large bubbles, about 5 minutes. Let cool. Transfer to blender and puree.

For sirloin burgers: prepare a medium-hot fire in outdoor grill. For gas grill, preheat on high, then adjust to medium-high (about 450°F). For a charcoal grill, let coals burn for about 15 minutes after white ashes form on surface and you can hold your hand just above cooking grate for about 3 seconds.

Shape ground sirloin into 6 burgers, each about 3 inches in diameter. Press a deep indentation about 1 inch across into each burger to help reduce shrinkage. Sprinkle on both sides with salt and pepper. Let stand at room temperature while preparing fire, but no longer than 45 minutes.

Lightly oil grill grate. Add burgers and close lid. Turn burgers halfway through cooking time, about 6 minutes total  for medium-rare. During last minute or so, add rolls to grill; heat and toast.

Place each burger on a bun with 2 Tbsp. Spicy Berry Ketchup and a lettuce leaf. Serve hot with remaining berries.

PHOTO: DRISCOLL’s