California Burger

Bobby Flay

• Ready In: 1 hr 10 mins
• Serves: 4

Ingredients

• Avocado Relish

• 2  ripe Hass avocadoes, halved, pitted, peeled, and coarsely chopped
• 1⁄2 small onion, finely diced
• 1  jalapeno pepper, finely diced
• 1  lime, juice of
• 1⁄4 cup  finely chopped fresh cilantro leaves
•  kosher salt
•  fresh ground black pepper

• Burgers

• 1 1⁄2 lbs  ground chuck or 1 1⁄2 lbs ground turkey
•  kosher salt
•  fresh ground black pepper
• 1 1⁄2 tablespoons canola oil
• 4  slices monterey jack cheese
• 4  hamburger buns, split and toasted
• 1  small  bunch watercress
• 4  slices  ripe beefsteak tomatoes

Directions

1. Make the relish: combine the avocados, onion, jalapeno, lime juice, and cilantro in a small bowl; season with salt and pepper to taste.
2. The relish can be made up to 1 hour in advance and kept at room temperature.
3. Divide the meat into 4 equal portions (about 6 ounces each).
4. Form each portion loosely into a 3/4-inch thick burger and make a deep depression in the center with your thumb.
5. Season both sides of each burger with salt and pepper.
6. Heat oil in a pan or griddle over high heat until the oil begins to shimmer; cook the burgers until golden brown and slightly charred on the first side, about 3 minutes for beef, 5 minutes for turkey; flip burgers over; cook until golden brown and slightly charred on the second side (4 minutes for med-rare beef, 5 minutes for turkey).
7. During last minute of cooking, cover each patty with a slice of cheese and cover with a basting cover or tent burgers with foil.
8. Place the burgers on the bun bottoms and top each one with a few sprigs of watercress, a slice of tomato, and a dollop of the avocado relish.
9. Cover with bun tops and serve immediately.