Spicy Guacamole Stuffed Burgers

Summer time means grilling time. Aka- it's burger season, people! Veggie burgers, beef burgers, turkey burgers, portobello burgers, lamb burgers.. The variations are endless.

Now let's talk avocados for a moment. Glorious, creamy, fatty, egg shaped orbs of goodness. There are few things in the world that avocado doesn't pair well with. Avocado topped burgers are a no brainer, but what about avocado stuffed burgers? Juicy beef patties filled with lime spiked guacamole. It really doesn't get much better.

Spicy Guacamole Stuffed Burgers

(8 patties)

Adapted from: Mark's Daily Apple

• Ingredients:
• 2 avocados
• Juice from 1/2 a lime
• 1 shallot, finely chopped
• Pinch of salt & pepper
• 2 pounds organic grass-fed ground beef
• 2 large garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 cup finely chopped cilantro
• 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely chopped
• 3 teaspoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions:

In a small bowl, mash avocados, lime, shallots with a pinch of salt & pepper. DO NOT blend or mash the heck out of your avocados that you're left with a big nasty  completely smooth bowl of goop. This is a cardinal sin, punishable by death. Guac making is serious business. An art to be treated with the utmost care & respect. Okay, end rant. Set guac aside til later.

In a large bowl, thoroughly combine meat, garlic, cilantro, jalapeño, chili powder, cumin & salt. 

Divide the meat into 8 even balls. (& if you're a little obsessive compulsive like me.. You can use a food scale to divide them perfectly even.) Then divide each into two smaller mounds. Flatten out each into thin burger patties. 

Scoop guacamole into the center of 8 of the mini patties and smooth out slightly, leaving a clean rim around the edge of the patties so you can seal them. Place the remaining 8 patties on top of the guacamole topped ones and pinch/mold together the edges so the guac is sealed in good. 

Crank up your grill to medium/medium-high heat. Cook burgers 5-7 minutes on each side or til cooked to your personal taste. Munch. :)

I wrapped mine up in big romain lettuce leaves, topped with fresh sliced tomatoes, hot sauce & soy-free vegenaise. So so good. 

-Jules

Life Lessons From Pixar..

My love for Pixar films knows no bounds. I think the animators, artists & storytellers who work for Pixar are brilliant & love them for the magic they bring to the big screen with each new release. So in honor of their genius, I thought it appropriate to reflect on some lessons they've taught me over the years..

LIFE LESSONS FROM PIXAR:

Toy Story: Accept others even if they are different & don't be jealous if they are better at something than you. Even if you don't think you can take that kind of rejection! New friends are always good.

A Bugs Life: Never discount the small guy or judge a book by it's cover. Being a ladybug doesn't automatically make it a girl.. & never be afraid to stand up for yourself. Nature has a certain order. The ants pick the food, the ants keep the food, & the grasshoppers leave.

Toy Story 2: Toys are meant to be played with, to infinity & beyond. & luck favors the prepared. Always pack your extra pair of shoes, & your angry eyes, just in case.

Monsters Inc.: Laughter trumps fear. Funny, right? Huh? With the... These are the jokes, kid.. When it comes to love, always take good care of your Schmoopsie Poo or you can't expect them to take care of their Googlie Bear.. & always remember, you're the boss! You're the boss! You're the big hairy boss! Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Small people belittle the dreams of others.

Finding Nemo: Take a chance on the adventure of a lifetime! A life worth living involves taking risks. If you are to change your image, you must first change yourself. & when the going gets tough... Just keep swimming. BUT most importantly, a papa's love should span land & sea for his kiddos. Oh, & Sandy Plankton is not always right. Psh. Sea turtles only live to be a hundred? Riiiiiiight.

The Incredibles: Hold onto your family. They are the greatest *good* you are ever gonna get! & we all want to look fly, but don't forget the golden rule, NO CAPES!

Cars: Don't forget to take a break & drive in the slow lane sometimes. Life's not all about winning, focus, speed, gittin'-er-done, & eating losers for breakfast.. Breakfast? Maybe I should have had breakfast.. No, no, no, focus.

Ratatouille: Don't be afraid to spice up your life. Literally & figuratively. & savor it. Don't just hork it down! Creamy,  salty sweet, an oaky nuttiness.. You detect that? & It doesn't matter where you come from, if you truly believe it's possible, you can achieve anything. Not everyone can become a great artist, but a great artist can come from anywhere. 

WALL-E: Love can be as simple as holding hands. Eeeeeeee-va? & you can't run from your problems. You don't want to survive. You want to LIVE.

Up: True love never fizzles out. But you need to relinquish the past to enjoy the present. Be thankful for the adventure. But don't forget to continue having one! Show love to everyone. A wilderness explorer is a friend to all, be a plant or fish or tiny mole!

Toy Story 3: When you're with the people you love, everything will workout in the end.  You can have everything.. A disco, a dune buggy, a whole room for trying on clothes. But it's not *everything* if you don't have someone to share it with.

Cars 2: Friendship is important. & memories should be cherished forever; the highs & lows.. I don't get them dents buffed, pulled, filled or painted by nobody. They way too valuable. I come by each one of 'em with my best friend Lightning McQueen. I don't fix these. I wanna remember these dents forever.

Brave: Respect your parents, even if it's just your boooooow. Embrace your own strengths & sometimes you need to set aside your pride to fix the problem. Fate be changed, look inside. Mend the bond torn by pride.

Monsters University: Be open to unlikely friendships & you don't need to go to college to be successful. Oh, & drool is a tool, use is!