Mexican Hamburger (La Hamburguesa)

When I first arrived in Martinez de la Torre, there was a small food cart, one block away from where I was staying, that boasted hamburgers and hot dogs, and I was thrilled at a taste of home being so close. Emphasis on the "was", because I was quickly informed about what their idea of a burger consisted of - and was quickly disappointed. I will grant that it was served on a sesame seed bun, but the "it" was chicken and a slice of ham, and, although it had the standard cheese, lettuce, tomato topping, a hamburger without the hamburger is really just a sandwich.

This hamburger is not that kind of hamburger (because it is an actual burger with ground beef and everything), but is more an homage to the now defunct Santa Fe burger from Red Robin (may it rest in delicious peace). The meat itself is an all-purpose burger patty, but the toppings are Mexican inspired. (And this is one of my favorite uses for those poblanos we charred earlier this week.)

Ingredients
1 1/2 pounds ground beef
1 1/2 Tbsp. worcestershire sauce
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. black pepper
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. crushed red pepper

1 cup Mexican cheese blend (or at least cheddar and Monterrey Jack), shredded
2 poblanos, charred, skinned, seeded and split in half
1 white onion, thinly sliced
1/2 head of lettuce
2 Tbsp. mayonnaise
1 tsp. chipotle en adobo sauce
4 burger buns
melted butter

Directions

1 - Mix ground beef, worcestershire sauce, olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic and crushed red pepper together in a bowl.

2 - Divide beef mixture into four equal portions and shape into round patties.

3 - Melt some butter in a large pan over medium heat.

4 - Add the burgers, and cook them for about 7 minutes on each side. Add the cheese after about 5 minutes on the second side.

5 - Meanwhile, butter the burger buns and toast them on a comal on low heat, maybe a minute or just until golden brown.

6 - Mix the chipotle en adobo sauce with the mayonnaise.

7 - ASSEMBLY Spread chipotle mayo on both havles of the bun. Add a square of folded lettuce to the bottom bun. Put the cheesy patty on top of the lettuce. Place a poblano half on top of the cheese, and add some onion slices. Top with the other bun.