Blueberry Beef Burgers with a Blueberry Salsa

The Midwest is known for many things, but three things can’t be distributed – we know how to grow an amazing blueberry crop, a bountiful crop of home grown vegetables, and beef to make your mouth water!The combination of these three great American traditions come together in what can only be described as a flavor sensation exploding in your mouth…. welcome to the Midwest – and welcome to what a burger should be.

Ingredients:

Salsa:

2 (6 oz) packages fresh blueberries

1 medium red bell pepper, cut into 1/4-inch diced pieces

1/3 cup diced red onion

1/3 cup finely chopped cilantro

2 tablespoons lime juice

3 tablespoons blueberry jam

1/4 teaspoons sea salt

1 teaspoon chili powder

Patties:

1 1/2 – 2 pounds ground chuck

2 tablespoons sea salt

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1 tablespoon cumin

1 tablespoon ground coriander

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

2 tablespoons blueberry jam

Olive oil, for brushing the grill rack

6 kaiser rolls, sliced for grilling

6 slices of Hot Pepper Jack cheese

Instructions:

Prepare a medium-hot fire in a charcoal grill with a cover, or preheat a gas grill to medium-high.

In a medium mixing bowl, combine salsa ingredients; set aside to await burgers.

To make the patties, combine the beef, salt, olive oil, cumin, ground coriander, cinnamon, and blueberry jam. Mix well to combine. Divide the mixture into 6 equal portions and form the portions into patties to fit the rolls. Brush the grill rack with oil. Place the patties on the rack, cover, and grill until browned on the bottoms, about 5 to 6 minutes. Turn the patties and continue grilling until done to medium to medium well.

In the last few minutes of cooking the patties, place the buns, cut side down, on the grill rack and grill until lightly toasted.

To assemble the burgers: Place the patty on the bottom half of the toasted Kaiser roll. Place a slice of hot pepper jack on top followed by a generous helping of the blueberry salsa mixture. Top with the other half of the Kaiser roll and serve.

Makes 6 burgers.