Cuban Burgers

From: Better Homes and Gardens

Ham and cheese top seasoned beef burgers for this unique sandwich.

Servings: 4 servings

Prep: 25 mins

Total: 44 mins

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

4 thin slices cooked ham (about 3 oz.)

4 slices fontina or provolone cheese (about 3 oz.)

4 rolls or buns, split and toasted

2 whole dill pickles, sliced horizontally into 8 slices

4 slices red onion

4 slices tomato

1 recipe Mojo Sauce (see recipe below)

Directions

1. In a bowl combine beef, garlic powder, cumin, and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and ground black pepper. Shape into four 3/4-inch-thick patties. For a charcoal grill, place patties on rack of uncovered grill directly over medium coals for 14 to 18 minutes or until meat is done (160 degree F), turning once halfway through grilling. Top each with a slice of ham and cheese. Cover; grill 30 seconds more or just until cheese begins to melt. Serve on rolls with pickle, onion, and tomato. Drizzle with some of the Mojo Sauce sauce; pass remaining. Makes 4 servings.

Mojo Sauce
In a skillet cook 6 cloves garlic, minced, in 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat until just starting to brown. Remove from heat. Carefully add 1/3 cup orange juice, 1/3 cup lemon juice, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and ground black pepper. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, about 5 minutes or until slightly reduced. Remove from heat; cool. Whisk before serving.

Broiler Method
Place burgers on broiler pan and broil 3 to 4 inches from heat for 12 to 14 minutes or until meat is done (160 degreeF), turning once halfway through broiling. Add a slice of ham and cheese to the top of each patty. Broil about 30 seconds more or until cheese begins to melt. (Broil buns or rolls for 45 to 60 seconds to toast.)

Note
To toast buns, place them on the grill rack for 1 to 2 minutes while your burgers finish grilling.

Picadillo with Rice

From: Family Circle

This ground beef recipe is a delightful mix of meat, tomatoes, olives, raisins, cinnamon and other spices. Here, it's served Cuban-style with rice.

Servings: Makes 6 servings.

Prep: 10 mins

Total: 50 mins

Ingredients

1 large onion, finely chopped

2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 pound extra-lean ground beef

1 can (14.5 ounces) recipe-ready diced tomatoes in juice

2 tablespoons tomato paste

1/4 cup dark seedless raisins

1/3 cup stuffed green olives, sliced

1/2 teaspoon salt

3 cups hot cooked brown or white rice

Directions

1. Lightly coat large nonstick skillet with cooking spray. Place over medium heat. Add onion; cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Add garlic, cinnamon, oregano and cumin; cook 30 seconds. Add beef; cook, stirring to break up clumps of meat, until beef is lightly browned, about 3 minutes.

2. Stir in tomatoes with juice, tomato paste, raisins, olives and salt. Heat to boiling over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally. Lower heat; simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, for 30 minutes. Serve over rice. Makes 6 servings.