California Burger

Name: California Burger
Yield: serves 4
Ingredients: 2 ripe Hass avocados, halved, pitted, peeled, and coarsely chopped; 1/2 small onion, finely diced; 1 jalapeño chile, finely diced; Juice of 1 lime; 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro leaves; Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper; 1 1/2 pounds ground chuck (80 percent lean) or ground turkey (90 percent lean); Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper; 1 1/2 tablespoons canola oil; 4 slices Monterey Jack cheese; 4 hamburger buns, split; toasted (see page 15), if desired; 1 small bunch of watercress; 4 slices ripe beefsteak tomato

December 9, 2011

From fruit to dairy, the farms of California yield so many fantastic ingredients. Two of my favorites are pebbly-skinned Hass avocados and Monterey Jack cheese. In fact, the two are somewhat similar in their mild taste and creamy consistency. To create a bit more contrast in flavor and texture, I nix simply sliced avocados in favor of a chunky avocado relish made with diced onion, bright leaves of cilantro, fresh lime juice, and a touch of spicy jalapeño.

Recipe notes

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