Breakfast Burgers

Ingredients

1. 1
   8 Slices
   Bacon
2. 2
   1 1/2 Pound
   Ground Beef
3. 3
   1 Pinch
   Kosher Salt
4. 4
   8 Slices
   American Cheese
5. 5
   2 Tablespoon
   Unsalted Butter
6. 6
   2 Tablespoon
   Canola Oil
7. 7
   4 Each
   Eggs
8. 8
   4 Each
   Hamburger buns
9. 9
   1/2 Cup(s)
   Ketchup
10. 10
    2 Tablespoon
    Hot sauce

Steps

1. Cook the bacon in batches in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp, about 3 minutes per side. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate. Do not wipe out the skillet.
2. Shape the ground beef with your hands into 4 round patties, about 1 1/2 inches thick.  Season each burger on both sides with the salt and pepper. Make a divot in the center of each burger. Put the burgers in the skillet with the bacon fat, divot-side up. Cook the burgers over medium-high heat, turning once, until golden brown on both sides and cooked to medium doneness, about 8 minutes total. Use a heatproof spoon to remove some of the bacon fat from the skillet as the burgers cook if desired.  
3. Top each burger with 2 slices of cheese. Carefully add 1/4 cup of water to the pan and immediately cover tightly with a lid. Count to 10. Lift the lid or dome to make sure that the cheese is totally melted (if not, cover again and count 5 seconds longer). Transfer the burgers to a plate and loosely tent with foil.  
4. Meanwhile, melt 1 tablespoon of butter in 1 tablespoon of canola oil in a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Carefully crack 2 eggs into two small bowls. Add the eggs to the pan, season with salt and pepper and reduce the heat to medium. Cover the skillet with a lid for 1 to 2 minutes to "baste"; the yolk should still be runny. Remove the eggs from the pan and set aside. Repeat with the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter, 1 tablespoon of canola oil and 2 eggs.  
5. Stir together the ketchup and hot sauce in a small bowl. 
6. Toast the buns in a toaster. Spread the spicy ketchup on the top bun. Place the burgers on the bottom buns and top each with a fried egg and 2 strips of crispy bacon. Close the burgers and serve with more spicy ketchup if desired.