I’ve had this idea in the queue for quite sometime…in fact, I think it’s been at least a year that the words Apple Onion Kale Smoked Gouda & Pork burgers have stared back at me from the notes in my phone on a daily basis.
I keep a copious list of recipe ideas both on my phone and on my desktop. They serve as reminders, nags, and also stress inducing nudges to get my act together!
I have to give myself a little extra credit, though, as sometimes these ideas arise when ingredients are not necessarily in season – thus, a reason to wait.

In any case, I’ve never really been a procrastinator, and I’m sorry I waited so long on this gem of a recipe.
And, rather than create a burger from the mix, I opted for sort of deconstructed situation, and served with a side of homemade sourdough.

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Apple Onion Kale Smoked Gouda & Pork

1/2 sweet onion, diced
1/2 lb. ground pork
1/2 Fuji apple, thinly sliced
1 Tbs. stoneground mustard
1 tsp. Hamptons Salt Company Rosemary Sea Salt
1 tsp. honey
2 cups raw kale, washed and torn
4 oz. smoked Gouda cheese, sliced into small, thin chunks

Combine the onion, pork, and apple in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook until the pork begins to render and then stir well. Season with salt and continue to sauté until the onions and apple are soft and the pork is cooked all the way through.
Add the mustard and honey and stir well. 
Add the kale and cover, cooking for an additional 3-5 minutes on low heat.
Remove from heat and transfer to a large serving plate or bowl.
Toss with the smoked cheese.