Nacogdoches Pimento Cheese-Burger with Bacon & Chayote, Grapefruit & Avocado Slaw
Ingredients
(1) 2 medium poblano chiles (about 6 ounces total)
(2) 8 ounces smoked Cheddar cheese, finely grated
(3) 1/4 cup good quality jarred mayonnaise
(4) 1/2 teaspoon chipotle chile powder
(5) Salt to taste
(6) 1 and 2/3 pounds ground chuck
(7) 1/2 pound fresh chorizo
(8) 1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves
(9) 3/4 cup chopped (drained) sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil
(10) 1/2 cup grated sweet onion (e.g., Texas Sweet)
(4) 1 teaspoon chipotle chile powder
(11) 1 teaspoon ground cumin
(5) 1 and 3/4 teaspoons salt
(12) 1 large ruby red grapefruit
(13) 2 medium, firm-ripe Haas avocados, halved, pitted, peeled, diced
(14) 2 cups chayote squash that have been peeled, seeded, cut into fine julienne (Note: seedless, peeled cucumber may be substituted if chayote is unavailable)
(9) 1/4 cup minced sweet onion (e.g., Texas Sweet)
(7) 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
(11) 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
(5) Salt to taste
(15) 12 slices thick-cut black pepper bacon (Note: regular thick-cut bacon can be substituted)
2-3 tablespoons vegetable oil for brushing grill rack
(16) 6 good-quality onion roll hamburger buns
Instructions
Prepare gas grill to high heat. Char poblano chiles over grill until blackened on all sides. Enclose in paper bag; let stand 10 minutes. Peel and seed chiles; let cool. Chop the chiles and transfer to medium bowl. Add the cheese, mayonnaise and 1/2 teaspoon chipotle chile powder to bowl. Mash mixture with fork until relatively smooth. (It should be flecked with small pieces of the poblanos.) Season with salt to taste. Cover until ready to use. Turn grill down to medium-high heat.
In a large bowl combine chuck, chorizo, 1/3 cup cilantro, sun-dried tomatoes, 1/2 cup grated sweet onion, 1 teaspoon chipotle chile powder, 1 teaspoon cumin and 1 and 3/4 teaspoons salt, handling as little as possible, until combined. Shape into six patties to fit bun size. Loosely cover with plastic wrap and set aside.
Grate 1 teaspoon zest from the grapefruit and set aside. Cut off remaining peel and pith with knife. Working over a medium bowl, cut grapefruit between membranes with a small sharp knife to release segments and their juices into the bowl. Remove segments and chop; return to bowl of juices along with the zest, avocados, chayote, 1/4 cup minced sweet onion, 2 tablespoons cilantro and 1/2 teaspoon cumin. Toss to combine. Season with salt to taste. Loosely cover with plastic wrap until ready to use.
Heat heavy large nonstick skillet on the medium-high heat grill. Cook the bacon in skillet until crisp. Transfer to paper towels to drain. Wrap bacon in foil to keep warm.
Brush the grill rack with vegetable oil. Place the patties on the grill rack, cover, and cook, turning once, until done to preference, 5-6 minutes on each side for medium. Spread a generous dollop of cheese mixture on burgers during last 2 minutes of grilling, closing lid to promote melting. Also place the rolls, cut side down, on the outer edges of the grill rack to toast lightly during last 2 minutes of grilling.
To assemble the burgers, place a cheese-topped burger patty on bun bottom, followed by 2 bacon slices, and an equal portion of slaw. Add the roll tops and serve. Makes 6 burgers.