Chili Pepper Burgers with Pickled Green Tomatoes - 4 Servings

Two kinds of hot peppers give these burgers a tongue-tingling jolt. If you prefer not to make Pickled Green Tomatoes, many supermarkets carry jars of pickled green tomatoes.

• 1/2 cup chopped green onion or finely chopped white onion
• 2 tablespoon fine dry bread crumbs
• 2 small red serrano peppers, seeded and finely chopped*
• 3 canneds chipotle peppers in adobe sauce, chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 8 1-inch-thick slices bread or 4 whole wheat hamburger buns, split**
• 1/2 cup roasted red pepper catsup, roasted garlic catsup, or other purchased flavored catsup (optional)
• 4 slices Pickled Green Tomatoes (recipe follows)
• 1 small sliced red onion (optional)
• 1 small red serrano peppers (optional)

• 1. In a large mixing bowl combine green onion or white onion, bread crumbs, serrano peppers, chipotle peppers, and salt. Add beef; mix well. Shape meat mixture into four 3/4-inch-thick patties.
• 2. Grill hamburger patties on the rack of an uncovered grill directly over medium coals for 14 to 18 minutes or until done (160 degrees F.),*** turning once. Grill or toast bread or buns.** Serve burgers on grilled or toasted bread or buns with desired catsup, green tomato slices, red onion slices, and serrano peppers, if desired. Makes 4 servings.
• Pickled Green Tomatoes: For pickling liquid, in a small saucepan combine 3/4 cup vinegar, 2/3 cup water, 2 tablespoons sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Bring to boiling; reduce heat and boil gently, uncovered, for 5 minutes.
• Cut 1 pound green tomatoes into 1/4-inch-thick slices. In a large saucepan cook tomatoes and 1 teaspoon salt, covered, in a small amount of boiling water for 1 minute. Drain; rinse with cold water. Drain well; transfer to three hot, clean half-pint jars. In each jar, place 1 teaspoon dill seed and, if desired, 1 or 2 small serrano peppers, halved.* Pour hot pickling liquid over tomatoes, leaving a 1/4-inch head space. Seal and refrigerate overnight or up to 2 weeks. Makes 3 half-pint jars.
• *Note: Hot peppers contain volatile oils that can burn eyes, lips, and sensitive skin. Please wear plastic gloves while working with peppers and be sure to wash your hands thoroughly afterward.
• **Note: To grill bread or buns brush lightly with olive oil or margarine. Grill directly over medium coals for 30 seconds to 1 minute or until just toasted, turning once.
• ***Note:An instant-read meat thermometer ensures perfectly cooked burgers (patties). The internal color of the burger is not a reliable doneness indicator. A beef or pork burger cooked to 160 degrees F, regardless of color, is safe. If using a digital instant-read thermometer, insert the tip of the thermometer into the food at least 1/8 of an inch for 10 seconds. If using a dial instant-read thermometer, insert the thermometer through the side of the burger (patty) to a depth of 2 to 3 inches to get an accurate reading.