Cuban Mojo Onion Burgers

Pairs well with:

Sauvignon Blanc

With hints of passion fruit, melon, and citrus, this wine beckons you to kick back and find a perfect porch swing.

Ingredients

2 jalapeno peppers
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 ripe California Avocado
3/4 cup mayonnaise
2 1/2 pounds freshly ground pork
2 teaspoons Adobo seasoning with pepper
1/4 cup fresh chopped cilantro
3/4 cup Goya Mojo Criollo marinade (reserve 1/2 cup for mojo onions)
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 large Vidalia onions, peeled and thinly sliced
2 tablespoons honey
vegetable oil for greasing the grill rack
6 slices Tavern ham (about 4 ounces)
6 slices swiss cheese (about 4 ounces)
6 Kaiser rolls, split
12 thin tomato slices
6 large pieces of curly green leaf lettuce

 

Instructions

Prepare a medium hot fire in a charcoal grill with cover or preheat a gas grill to medium high. To make the avocado mayonnaise, cut the jalapenos in half and remove the seeds and core. Brush with the olive oil; wrap them in aluminum foil and cook on the preheated grill for about 15 minutes or until soft. Peel and pit the avocado. Mash the avocado and mix with the mayonnaise. When the jalapenos are done cooking, chop them very fine and add to the mayonnaise mixture. Set the mayonnaise aside in a cool place. To prepare the patties, combine the pork, Adobo seasoning, cilantro and 1/4 cup marinade in a large bowl. Reserve the rest of the marinade to make the mojo onions. Handle the meat as little as possible to avoid compacting it. Divide the mixture and form into 6 patties to fit the Kaiser rolls. Loosely wrap them and set aside in a cool place until ready to cook. To make the mojo onions, heat the vegetable oil in a 12-inch fireproof skillet on the grill. If the grill has a burner, a regular 12 inch nonstick pan can be used. Add the onions, stirring frequently, until translucent. Cook for about 10 to 15 minutes; to avoid burning the onions adjust the skillet away from the direct heat if cooking directly on the grill. Add the reserved marinade and honey; mix well and continue cooking the onions; about 5 minutes, or until most of the liquid is evaporated. Transfer the onions to a bowl and cover with foil to keep warm. To cook the patties, brush the grill rack with oil. Place the patties on the rack, cover and cook for 3 to 5 minutes on each side. Burgers should be browned with grill marks and reach an internal temperature of 160 degrees for medium. Place the ham and cheese slices on top of the patties and cover grill until cheese is melted. Toast the rolls on the grill until lightly browned. To assemble burgers, spread the mayonnaise mixture over each side of the Kaiser rolls. On each roll bottom, add 2 tomato slices, lettuce and burgers. Top the burgers with onions. Add the bun tops and serve.