A Pati Jinich Recipe
Ancho Chile Mexican Hamburgers with Lime Aioli
8 burgers
Hamburguesas con Chile Ancho y Aioli de Limon
Ingredients
For the burgers:
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
- 1 1/2 pounds ground veal
- 1 1/2 cup white onion, roughly chopped
- 3 cloves garlic
- 4 ancho chiles, rinsed, seeded and soaked (explanation follows)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher or sea salt, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground, or to taste
- 2 eggs, lightly beaten
- safflower or corn oil
For the lime aioli:
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- Juice of 1 lime, about 2 tablespoons
- 1 teaspoon grate lime rind
- 3 garlic cloves, pressed
- 1 teaspoon kosher or sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the garnishes:
- 8 hamburger buns
- yellow mustard
- ketchup
- 2 red tomatoes, sliced
- 8 iceberg or romaine lettuce leaves, rinsed and dried
- 1/2 white onion, sliced
To Prepare
- Rinse the ancho chiles. On a chopping board, make a slit down their side and take out all of their seeds, veins and stems. Place the cleaned chiles in a small bowl and cover with 1/2 cup boiling hot water. Let it soak for 10 to 15 minutes. Places chiles in the blender along with the soaking liquid, onion and garlic, and puree until smooth.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the ground beef and veal. Add the chile mixture, two lightly beaten eggs, salt and pepper. Mix until it is all well incorporated.
- Heat the griddle or pan over medium heat until very hot, about 6 to 8 minutes. Brush some oil on the griddle or pan.
- With your hands, mold the patties and place them on the hot griddle or pan. Cook for about 4 to 6 minutes per side, depending on how well cooked you like your burgers. I like them medium-well, so it is about 5 minutes per side for me.
- Place the garnishes on the table so that everyone can choose to their liking.
- To make the lime aioli, place everything in a mixing bowl, and just mix it all up!
- If you want to make this hamburger into a cheeseburger, Monterey jack is a great companion. Just place a slice of cheese on to the burger once you flipped it and let it melt as it finishes cooking.
