Stuffed Pickled Chile Burger Grande Recipes

Steps:

• Make the salsa: In a medium bowl, mix together onion, tomato, salt, Serrano chile and cilantro. This salsa tastes best when it's fresh, so don't set aside for too long.
• Prepare a charcoal barbecue or light the broiler. When hot, roast the chiles.
• Place chiles on a rack very close to the glowing coals, or on a baking sheet quite close to broiler flames. Using tongs, turn chiles occasionally until they are completely black and blistered all over. Alternatively, roast over stovetop flames. Set roasted chiles aside for a few minutes until cool enough to handle.
• Cut each chile in half lengthwise, then scrape away skins and seeds with a pairing knife. Do not rinse: A few bits of char are fine. Wipe chile "fillets" with a paper towel if you wish. Slice cleaned chiles lengthwise into 1/2-inch strips and set aside. (It's fine to roast chiles in advance, even a day or two ahead.)
• Divide ground meat into 6-ounce balls, and press them into 3/4-inch-thick patties. Season patties on both sides with salt and pepper.
• If grilling over coals, cook burgers over brisk heat, about 3 minutes per side for medium-rare. Add sliced cheese when the burger's juices start appearing. Move burgers to a cooler spot on the grill and let cheese continue to melt.
• If cooking on stovetop, heat a cast-iron pan or ridged grill pan over high heat. When hot, cook burgers over brisk heat, about 3 minutes per side for medium-rare. Add sliced cheese when the burger juices start appearing. Turn off heat and let cheese continue to melt, or place pan under broiler.
• Place a cheeseburger on the bottom half of each bun. Adorn each burger generously with strips of roasted chile. Top the burgers with buns and serve immediately, accompanied by avocado slices and tomato salsa.

Steps:

• Cut off both ends of the dill pickles to create a flat surface.
• Using a thin potato peeler or a sharp knife or Uncle Bill's Dill Pickle Corer, and core out each dill pickle. (You can save the core for another use).
• Stand the pickles on end on paper towelling and let drain until all liquid is drained, about 30 minutes. In addition, run some rolled paper towelling through the core to remove any liquid that did not drain.
• Meanwhile, in a mixing bowl, cream the cheese, add onion and garlic and mix until well blended. Add Tabasco sauce and mix well to blend.
• Using a cake decorator or a small spoon, stuff each pickle. Wrap the stuffed pickles in plastic wrap and refrigerate until cheese is firm, about 2 hours.
• Before serving, slice pickles into 3/4 inch slices and place slices on a serving plate. (Cover and refrigerate any unused pickles). These pickles are also good for lunches.
• You may also add some finely chopped Smoked Salmon to the filling, or some finely chopped black olives, or finely chopped cooked ham. Try mixing equal amounts of Cheese-Whiz and cream cheese, or use the different cream cheese that are available.
• NOTE: Uncle Bill has developed a stainless steel corer and is now available - z-mail me if you are interested.

Steps:

• Cream Cheese Filling: Cream together cream cheese and egg yolk; stir in onions and cheese.
• Stuffed Pickled Chiles: Cut a short lengthwise slit in each chile; roast under broiler over over burner until blackened; place in sealed plastic bag and put in freezer for 10 minutes.
• Remove skins and cut chile open lengthwise; DO NOT CUT OFF THE STEM END; leave an inch uncut at each end.
• Remove seeds; lay in single layer in flat-bottomed container.
• Combine vinegar, oil, cumin seeds, garlic, sugar and salt in saucepan; bring to boil and simmer 10 minutes; cool 5 minutes; strain and pour over chiles; chill covered at least 8 hours; can be refrigerated up to one week.
• When ready to serve, put drained chiles in baking pan; stuff each with 1/4 of the Cream Cheese Filling;spoon on salsa and sprinkle with cheese; broil until cheese is lightly golden; serve; for use with burgers cut stem end off.
• Burgers: Divide the meat into 4 thin burgers and shape into the same shape as the buns, but a bit larger to allow for shrinkage; cook to desired doneness.
• To assemble, place burger on bun, top with pickled chile, condiments and the other half of the bun.