Mmm burger heaven. Yum, yum, yum! Seconds? Yes.

Welcome to Grillin' Out--a new HooplaHa cooking series that combines unique grilling recipes and the great outdoors! For our first episode (See video on our homepage!) accomplished backyard chef Chris Grassi transforms an ordinary burger into something that will make your mouth water.  Here's the recipe!

Hooplaha Burger

Ingredients

1.5 pounds ground beef (50/50 blend of sirloin and chuck),  yields 4 6 ounce patties

6 ounces queso fresco, crumbled

2 avocados, diced

1 lime, juiced and zested

3 tablespoons sour cream

2 cloves garlic, smashed

1 jalapeno, diced

3 tablespoons cilantro, finely chopped

2 ears of corn, grilled and cut from cob

8 ounces of canned black beans, rinsed

2/3 cup tomato, diced

1/3 cup red onion, diced

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 splash apple cider vinegar

2 heirloom tomatoes, sliced

salt and freshly ground black pepper

4 bakery style rolls

Directions

Fire Roasted Corn and Black Bean Salsa - Place the corn still in the husk on a preheated grill.  Rotate them occasionally to ensure uniform cooking.  Remove the corn from the grill.  Husk the corn and shave the kernels off the cob into a mixing bowl.  In that mixing bowl add the black beans, tomatoes, red onion, ½ of the garlic, ½ of the cilantro, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, and salt and pepper to taste.  Mix the salsa and place in the refrigerator until it’s time to eat.

Avocado Cream - In a mixing bowl add avocado, lime juice, sour cream, ½ of the garlic, jalapeno, ½ of cilantro and salt and pepper to taste.  Mash the mix until you achieve a smooth consistency.  Place a piece of plastic wrap directly on the surface of the avocado cream to keep it from discoloring.  Place in the refrigerator until it is time to assemble the burger.

Hamburger Patties - Divide your mix of sirloin and chuck into 4 portions.  Form the burgers slightly larger than the bun they will be served on.  Press the center of the burger to create a dimple.  This will help evenly cook the burger.  Sprinkle burgers with salt and pepper.  Place burger over the hottest part of you grill.  Cook for approximately 3-4 minutes per side depending on the size of you burger and the temperature of your grill.

Assembly – Place your perfectly cooked hamburger patty on the bun.  Top it with the queso fresco and 2 slices of the heirloom tomatoes.  Smear the avocado cream on the other half of the bun and top the burger.  Heap a nice mound of the fire roasted corn and black bean salsa on the side and enjoy!

Serves – 4

Prep Time – 25 minutes

Cooking Time – 6 to 10 minutes depending on how you like you burger cooked