Burger ala Sonora Mexico

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Burger ala Sonora Mexico

Many years ago when briefly stationed in Yuma Arizona I took a weekend trip down into Sonora Province in Mexico simply to check out the country side. Two fellow military acquaintances joined me for a 4 wheel, weekend exploration of this then, still somewhat wild and wooley section of the Mexican countryside.

We found ourselves in the town of Riito on a blistering hot afternoon in need of a cool drink and something to eat. The street was dusty and unpaved with an old tank truck rolling down the main street watering down the dusty street. I followed the water truck into the town center where we saw a Cantina that looked like it was out of the Marlon Brando western movie “One Eyed Jacks”

Marlon wasn’t in the Cantina but a few of the extras were around the bar watching us with steely eyes. I took care of the steely eyes by buying a round for the bar. (cost about$1.50) Guitars appeared and some plaintive songs for a hot afternoon were soon being sung after another round was bought.

We asked if we could get something to eat and after some language stumbling, burgers were being prepared for cooking on a grill in the courtyard. It may have been the moment and Riito as much as anything but memory of these burgers remains.

As close as I remember.

Burgers-Riito Sonora

Ingredients:

About 2 lbs of ground beef(20%fat)
6 cloves garlic minced
¼ cup cilantro
3 or 4 Jalapenos minced
½ cup of a sharp cheddar
½ cup of Monterey Jack
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
several dashes of Cholulo hot sauce
1 tomato sliced
1 cup of chunky salsa
1 cup guacamole
4 large hamburger buns

Preparation:
In a bowl-
Mix the beef, garlic ,cilantro, Jalapenos, cheese,salt and a few dashes of the hot sauce
Gently form the mixture into 4 equal balls then flatten into burger shapes

Cooking:
Over a medium grill fire- place the burgers on an oiled grill
Cook about 4 minutes turn and cook for 4 minutes on the other side
Toast the buns
Serve on the buns with salsa , guacamole, tomato and some lettuce as accompaniments

Confession: This is part memory of Sonora, part borrowed, some outside suggestion but totally a wonderful burger for a hot Riito afternoon or on the back deck with friends.