Week 20, Recipe 3: South By Southwest 7 Layer Sliders

Recipe from Rachael Ray's 'Big Orange Book'

• 8 ounces canned refried beans
• 2 pounds ground beef sirloin (I used ground turkey)
• 1 cup beer (I used Dos Equis to match the Southwest theme)
• 1/4 cup grated onion
• 3 cloves garlic, grated or finely chopped
• 1 1/2 tablespoons grill seasoning (about 1 1/2 palmfuls)
• 1 tablespoon chili powder, preferably chipotle (about a palmful)
• 1 tablespoon smoked sweet paprika (about a palmful)
• Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), for drizzling
• 1 Hass avocado (I would use at least 2 for all those burgers-- 1 small barely covered 2 burgers)
• 1/2 small red onion, finely chopped
•  2 jalapeño chiles, seeded and finely chopped
• 3 tablespoons finely chopped cilantro
• 1 teaspoon grated lime peel, plus juice of 2 limes
• Salt
• 2 yellow tomatoes, seeded and chopped (I used red plum tomatoes)
• 1/4 cup mustard (eyeball it) (I skipped this... mustard in salsa??? Pass.)
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 tablespoon hot pepper sauce (eyeball it)
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin (about 1/3 palmful)
• 6 slices deli pepper jack cheese, quartered
• 12 mini hamburger buns, split (I used regular-sized wheat buns)
• 1 cup shredded romaine lettuce (I used spinach because that's what I had)
• 1/2 cup green olives with pimento, chopped (I used black olives)

In a small skillet, heat the beans over medium-low heat; stir in a splash of water.
In a large bowl, combine the sirloin, beer, onion, two-thirds of the garlic, the grill seasoning, chili powder and paprika. Divide into 4 equal portions, then form each portion into three 3-inch patties. Drizzle with EVOO.

In a small bowl, mash the avocado with half each of the red onion, jalapeños and cilantro. Mash in the lime peel and juice and the remaining one-third of the garlic; season the guacamole with salt. In another small bowl, toss the tomatoes with the mustard and the remaining half of the red onion, jalapeños and cilantro; stir, then season with salt. In another bowl, stir together the sour cream, hot sauce and cumin.

Pre-heat a large grill pan to medium-high. Add the patties and cook, turning once, for 6 minutes for medium. During the last minute of cooking, top each patty with 2 cheese slices and tent with foil to melt.

Top each bun bottom with a small spoonful of refried beans, a beef patty, some lettuce, guacamole, salsa, spicy sour cream and a sprinkling of olives; cover with the bun tops. Serve the sliders with any remaining toppings.

Results: WHAT??  One of the best recipes I've ever made.  Truly.  I don't believe in sliders (teases) so I made 4 regular-sized burgers with about a pound of ground turkey.  I served this with frozen corn cooked on the stove according to the package directions with a tablespoon of chile powder, 1 tbsp. black pepper, 1 tablespoon of butter, a squeeze of lime, salt and a handful of chopped cilantro.  SO GOOD!!!!  MAKE THIS RECIPE!!