Jalapeno and Cheese Stuffed Burgers

 
   Happy Thursday! It's almost the long weekend! Any plans?

   I actually went in to work at the school today to host a talent show meeting. For anyone that knows me, you'll know that ever since I started working at Griffin Park I have been in charge of the talent show, along with my good friends Alicia and Lana, both teachers at the school. It's the 8th year I've done it and it's a basic love hate relationship. It can be very exhausting tracking down the kids to change songs because their original pick had the f-bomb.(yep, that always happens at least twice) But we always get it sorted in the end.

   The day of the actual show gives me anxiety equivalent to that of me hosting the Oscars. I am the "stage boss" as we like to call it! I stand in the wings and ensure each little contestant gets out on stage with tap shoes buckled, hair pieces in and microphones turned on! It's very fast paced, and those little muffins are nervous! I have been barfed on, cried on, stepped on and held hands on stage with a girl who was borderline crapping her pants! I stood there looking like an ass, holding hands while she hit the high notes with Brittany Spears. We've had kids run at the last minute, like a runaway bride. Kids not show up, and even once a gal who had her teenage sister "help" her with her joke routine and had to be quickly escorted off stage! I dare to say we've seen it all. Alicia is up in the sound booth controlling the music and lights, and Lana sits in the audience with a perma-grin on, encouraging the kids from the darkness!

   Every year, at the start of the school year I tell Alicia I'm not doing it. She nods. Every year around this time I get a random text saying "talent show meeting next week". There is no talk of my previous threats to drop out. I do it. Every time. And I secretly love it !:)


   Ok, food time. I made these stuffed burgers last night. They were great, but I made 2 mistakes. I wasn't thinking and grated the cheese. This resulted in the cheese kind of getting lost in the mix. Block cheese is for sure the way to go. Secondly, lord Jesus did I use too much garlic! I suppose it depends on your taste, but I am still feeling it a day later!

   Getting the mix ready is a bit fussy, as it has a secret weapon loaded in, pureed garlic cauliflower!You can totally leave this part out, if you want to be a loser. :)
For real though, it will be fine without. It is a great way to get in a head of cauliflower into a meal without being busted!

Jalapeno and Cheese Stuffed Burgers:

You Need:
Aprox. 1lb beef of choice
1 head cauliflower
6 oz cheddar cheese
1/2 cup diced jalapenos
salt and pepper to taste
2-4 garlic cloves minced, to taste
1 tbsp butter

Steam the cauliflower until tender and mashable.
Once cool, dump onto a clean (duh) dishcloth, and squeeze out as much water as you can. The more the better result.

Dump the squeezed cauli, butter, garlic, 2oz cheese and salt and pepper to taste, into your food processor, and whiz until smooth.

In a mixing bowl add your meat and season with salt and pepper. Add in your cauli mix. In the original recipe it says to add half. But I made smaller patties so I added the whole thing. Do as you like! Mix just to combine, don't over mix.

I put saran wrap down on my cutting board and formed equally sized patties. Remember you need to flatten them out a bit, so they shouldn't be huge. On half of the patties, make an indent in the middle and fill with cheese and jalapenos. These will be the best if you can leave the formed patties in the fridge for about half hour before cooking. If not, they will be fine- just maybe be a bit careful with transferring them, etc.

Once stuffed, put the other pattie on top and shape and flatten to a medium size. See why you don't need to make them huge? A little goes a long way here. Place on a greased cooling rack on baking tray. I did about 30 min at 350. You could also pan fry or grill. Adjust time to your done-ness preference.

I served them with a simple Caesar salad and ketchup, mustard and  pickles on the side! Easy. Salad was just chopped romaine hearts with a dressing of: plain greek yogurt, lemon juice and garlic all whisked together. Just to taste, nothing fancy. Enjoy!!

original recipe pingback to "loveandprimal.com"