New Mexico Red Chile Burgers

Ingredients

Patties:
3 cloves garlic
1 tsp. coarse sea salt
2.25 pounds ground chuck
¼ bunch fresh cilantro, chopped
½ cup mild red chile puree
¼ cup piñon pine nuts, chopped

Vegetable oil, for brushing on the
grill rack
6 pieces thick-sliced bacon
6 slices asadero cheese
6 whole wheat bakery buns
Spray margarine

Chili Mayonnaise:
6 Tbsp. Mayonesa (by Kraft –
Mayonnaise with Lime Juice added)
2 tsp. red chili powder

6 ripe tomato slices
6 slices red onion
24 slices ripe avocado

 

Instructions

• Prepare a medium-hot fire in a charcoal grill.
• Use a mortar and pestle to crush the garlic cloves and sea salt together to make a paste
• To make the patties, combine the garlic paste with the ground chuck, chopped cilantro, red chile puree and chopped pine nuts. Mix well, handling the meat as little as possible to avoid compacting it. Divide the mixture into 6 equal portions, then form into patties, making the centers slightly thinner than the edges.
• When the grill is ready, brush the grill rack with vegetable oil. Place the patties on the rack and cook, turning once, until done – about 6 minutes on each side.
• Meanwhile, cook the bacon slices directly on the grill rack – about 3 minutes per side.
• During the final moments of grilling the patties, place a slice of asadero cheese on each patty.
• When the patties and bacon are cooked, set them aside on a cooler part of the grill to keep warm.
• Separate the buns, then spray the cut portion of each half with the spray margarine.
• Place the buns, cut side down, on the grill rack and toast lightly.
• Meanwhile, mix the mayonesa and red chili powder in a small bowl.
• To assemble burgers, spread some of the Chili Mayonnaise (1 tablespoon per burger) on the cut sides of each bun half. On the bottom half of each bun, place a patty, bacon, tomato slice, red onion slice, and 4 slices of avocado. Add the bun tops and serve. Makes 6 burgers.