I went to the Temecula Spice Shop the other day and found GREEN chili powder. I came home and made this super fricken delicious recipe (thank you Rachael Ray)! I doubled the recipe because I new I would want leftovers! So, so, so, so good!

 -Tammy

Health tips: Kidney-friendly, diabetes-friendly, low carb*

Ingredients: 4 servings

• 1 pound ground chicken or turkey (I used chicken)
• 2 4-ounce cans whole green chilies, well drained
• 2 teaspoons ground green chili powder or other mild chili powder, such as Ancho
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• Salt and pepper
• 5 tablespoons grated onion with juice, divided
• 3 large cloves garlic, grated or pasted, divided
• 1/2 cup cilantro, chopped plus 2 tablespoons for guacamole
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 4 slices sharp cheddar or pepper jack cheese
• 2 small or 1 large, ripe Haas avocados, pit removed and squished from skin
• 1 jalapeño pepper, grated or finely chopped (optional)
• Juice of 2 small limes, divided
• Green or red leaf lettuce
• 1 small red onion, sliced and pickled
• 1 Beefsteak or vine-ripe tomato, sliced
• 4 brioche rolls or hamburger buns, split  (*I went bunless and wrapped mine in lettuce)

Steps:

1. Heat a cast-iron skillet to medium-high.   Place the chicken in mixing bowl. Finely chop drained chilies and pat them dry again; add to chicken. Season chicken with chili powder, cumin, salt and pepper. Add 3 tablespoons grated onion, 2 cloves grated garlic and about 1/2 cup cilantro to bowl. Mix burger meat and form 4 large thin patties. Add patties to the hot pan and cook 8 minutes turning once; melt a slice of each kind of cheese over top in last minute of cooking time*.

2. Mash the avocado with remaining 2 tablespoons grated onion and 1 clove grated garlic, the jalapeño, lime juice from 1 lime, and 2 tablespoons cilantro; season with salt to taste.

 

3. Pickle the onions. Place sliced onions in a small bowl, squeeze the juice of 1 lime over the onions and sprinkle with a bit of salt. You can add in a bit of cilantro too, but its not necessary. Toss with your fingers occasionally. Set aside.

4. Place lettuce, onion and tomato on bun bottoms, top with cheeseburgers and the bun tops slathered with guacamole*. Or you can wrap it up in lettuce.

*You can omit the cheese if you  have kidney disease. It’s so flavorful, you won’t even need the cheese. The cheese contains Also, use a bit less of the guacamole if you have kidney disease.

Thank you Rachael Ray for this recipe, my tummy thanks you!