Smokin’ Chuck-Chorizo-Cheese Burgers with Chipotle Mayo

Pairs well with:

Zinfandel

Bright and full-bodied, this Zinfandel wine is a curious contradiction in tastes.

Ingredients

PATTIES
2 pounds ground chuck
12-ounces chorizo sausage, casing removed
6 cloves garlic
1 small onion, quartered
2 teaspoons grill seasoning
½ cup packed cilantro leaves
1 tablespoon ground cumin
Vegetable oil, for brushing on the grill rack
4-ounces smoked cheddar cheese, sliced
6 soft Kaiser rolls, split
1 recipe Chipotle Mayo
6 loose leaf lettuce leaves
6 tomato slices
CHIPOTLE MAYO
1 canned chipotle chile in adobo sauce
½ teaspoon adobo sauce
1 cup mayonnaise

 

Instructions

Prepare a medium-hot fire in a charcoal grill with a cover, or preheat a gas grill to medium-high. To make the patties, crumble up the ground chuck and chorizo in a large bowl. Place garlic, onion, salt, cilantro and cumin in a food processor. Using the “pulse” button, process until chopped. Transfer to bowl with meat. With your fingertips, gently blend mixture together to evenly distribute the seasonings. Handle the meat as little as possible to avoid compacting it. Divide mixture into 6 equal portions and form the portions into patties to fit the rolls. Set aside. To make the Chipotle Mayonnaise, mince the chipotle chile to a paste. In a small bowl, mix the chipotle, adobo sauce and mayonnaise together. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use. When the grill is ready, brush the grill rack with vegetable oil. Place the patties on the rack, cover and cook, turning once, until done to preference, 5 to 7 minutes on each side for medium. During the final 1 to 2 minutes, top with cheese slices. When patties are done and cheese has melted, remove from the grill and place on a cookie sheet or platter; cover loosely with foil to keep warm. Place the rolls, cut side down, on the outer edges of the grill rack to toast lightly. To assemble the burgers, spread a generous amount of the chipotle mayo over the cut sides of the rolls. On each roll bottom, place a lettuce leaf, a tomato slice and a patty. Add the roll tops and serve.