Avocado Jucy Lucy {Burger} & Blueberry Corn {Salad}

Here in Minnesota we have created a famous little burger called The Jucy Lucy (often spelled correctly/incorrectly as the Juicy Lucy) and it is the most delicious burger around. A Jucy Lucy is made with two burger patties and a large chunk of cheddar cheese sandwiched in-between.  Why put the cheese on top when you can melt it to perfection in the middle?

Beware of the molten hot, cheesy river that will flow out of your burger on your first bite; the professionals will warn you to let your burger cool for a few minutes. If you are ever in Minneapolis, do yourself a solid and bike on down to Matt's Bar on the corner of Cedar and 35th. Matt's is the king of dive bars and the home of the best Jucy Lucy in the Twin Cities (although some may disagree, but you can trust us, we have a food blog). It will not disappoint. 

Whitney and I are so thrilled to bring you our own version of a Juicy Lucy, this "little" burger is jam packed full of flavor. Our rendition will bring you endless smiles, a full tummy, and if you make this for your friends they will be so blown away by your grilling skills and Jucy Lucy knowledge. 

Blueberry Corn Salad

1 pint of blueberries 

1 1/2 cups corn (from cooked cobs is best but frozen or canned work well)

1 cucumber, sliced and quartered

1/4 cup cilantro, chopped

1 small jalapeno, seeded and finely chopped

1 Tbls honey 

2 Tbls olive oil

2 Tbls lime juice

1/2 tsp ground cumin

Combine blueberries, corn, cucumber, cilantro, and jalapeno in a large bowl.  In a small bowl, whisk together honey, olive oil, lime juice, and cumin.  Pour dressing over the corn and blueberry mixture.  Refrigerate for a 1/2 hour and lightly stir again before serving.  

Avocado Jucy Lucy

2 lbs ground beef

Salt and pepper to taste

4- 1 inch cubes of cheddar cheese 

1 avocado 

1/4 cup sun dried tomatoes

1/8 cup cilantro, chopped

1/2 a lime, juiced

Salt to taste

4 hamburger buns 

Pepper and season your beef as preferred.  Divide the beef into 8 portions, 4 of the portions being slightly smaller than the others.  Form a patty with each of the larger burger portions, making a large indent in the middle of each patty.  Place a cube of cheese in each patty, top with the smaller patties, and seal shut by pinching the beef together.  Refrigerate patties for at least a half an hour.  

In a large bowl combine, avocado, sun dried tomatoes, cilantro, lime juice, and salt.  Mash and mix well.  

Remove burgers from refrigerator and lightly salt each patty.  Over a medium-high flame, cook each burger for 4-5 minutes on each side, taking special care to not cut or scrape the patty.  In the last two minutes of cooking, toast the buns.  Top each bun with a jucy lucy and the avocado mixture. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Yields 4 burgers. 

Grocery List

2 lbs ground beef

cheddar cheese 

avocado 

sun dried tomatoes

cilantro

lime

blueberries 

corn 

cucumber

jalapeno

honey 

hamburger buns 

ground cumin

Estimated grocery bill... $27.50

Keep in mind... 

these burgers are bigger than your average patty because they have to hold in all that cheesy goodness. You might also have honey and cumin on hand which will lower your grocery bill.  You will also have leftover cheese, buns, and sun dried tomatoes.

Average cost per plate... $5.95

Try this meal with a... glass of red sangria. 

The delicious fruit and full bodied taste of red wine is perfect for the cheesy goodness of the jucy lucy.  The fact that it cold and refreshing is also a bonus. 

Happy Jucy Lucy Time!

Beth