"Fajita" Burgers

Makes: 4 servings

Active Time: 50 minutes Total Time: 50 minutes

INGREDIENTS

• 1 pound 90%-lean ground beef

• 3/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro, divided

• 1/2 cup finely chopped red onion

• 1/4 cup chopped scallions

• 2 teaspoons minced garlic

• 1 tablespoon chili powder, preferably New Mexican

• 1 teaspoon ground cumin

• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, preferably Mexican

• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 1/3 cup reduced-fat mayonnaise

• 1 tablespoon lime juice

• 1 tablespoon chopped chipotle chile in adobo, (see Ingredient Note)

• 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

• 4 French rolls, preferably whole-wheat, split and toasted

• 2 roasted Anaheim or poblano peppers, (see Tip)

• 1 cup shredded green cabbage

• 4 slices tomato

• 4 thin slices red onion

PREPARATION

1. Preheat grill to medium-high.

2. Place beef, 1/4 cup cilantro, onion, scallions, garlic, chili powder, cumin, oregano, pepper and salt in a large bowl. Gently combine, without overmixing, until evenly incorporated. Form into 4 equal patties, about 1/2 inch thick and oval-shaped to match the rolls.

3. Combine the remaining 1/2 cup cilantro, mayonnaise, lime juice and chipotle in a small bowl.

4. Peel the roasted peppers, halve lengthwise and remove the seeds.

5. Oil the grill rack (see Tip). Grill the burgers until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the center registers 165°F, about 6 minutes per side. Top with cheese and cook until it is melted, about 1 minute more.

6. Assemble the burgers on toasted rolls with the chipotle mayonnaise, half a roasted pepper, cabbage, tomato and onion.

TIPS & NOTES

• Make Ahead Tip: Cover and refrigerate the chipotle mayonnaise (Step 3) for up to 5 days.

• Ingredient Note: Chipotle chiles in adobo sauce are smoked jalapeños packed in a flavorful sauce. Look for the small cans with the Mexican foods in large supermarkets. Once opened, they'll keep up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator or 6 months in the freezer. You can also find them dried with other chiles or at melissas.com and ground in the spice section of many supermarkets.

• Tips:

• To oven-roast peppers:

• 1. Preheat oven to 450°F. Place a wire rack on a large baking sheet. Arrange whole bell peppers on the rack.

• 2. Roast peppers in the center of the oven, turning occasionally with tongs, until blackened in places, 30 to 40 minutes.

• 3. Transfer the peppers to a large bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let steam for 10 minutes. Uncover and let cool.

• 4. With a paring knife, remove stems, skins and seeds. If serving as antipasto, combine accumulated juices with peppers.

• To oil the grill rack: Oil a folded paper towel, hold it with tongs and rub it over the rack. (Do not use cooking spray on a hot grill.) When grilling delicate foods like tofu and fish, it is helpful to spray the food with cooking spray.

NUTRITION

Per serving: 434 calories; 20 g fat (7 g sat, 7 g mono); 87 mg cholesterol; 36 g carbohydrates; 3 g added sugars; 31 g protein; 6 g fiber; 662 mg sodium; 660 mg potassium.Nutrition Bonus: Vitamin C (75% daily value), Zinc (47% dv), Vitamin A (28% dv), Iron (26% dv), Calcium (20% dv), Magnesium & Potassium (19% dv). Carbohydrate Servings: 2. Exchanges: 2 starch, 3 1/2 medium fat meat.

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