The Main Dish
It’s the Friday before a long holiday weekend (thank goodness), so I’m celebrating by putting a Mexican spin on a classic American dish, and creating what I like to call Fiesta Cheeseburgers.

The Side Dish
I’ll be serving my Fiesta burgers with homemade guacamole and chips.  And because it’s Friday, I think a Corona might be in order!

Let’s start cooking!
I start my meal making frenzy by mixing up homemade guacamole.  This is a recipe I learned from my friend Meghan while we were studying abroad in Australia.  Once she introduced us to this dip it quickly became a staple item in our household. 

What you’ll need
 1 avocado, halved, seeded and peeled
 1/2 tomato, diced
 2 tablespoons sweet onion, diced
 2 cloves garlic, chopped
 1/4 lime, juiced
 salt and pepper
tortilla chips (for dipping later)

Directions

1. Scoop avocado into a small mixing bowl.  Be sure to set the seed aside.
2. Using a fork or potato masher firmly mash the avocado until you reach your desired consistency.
3. Add in tomato, garlic and onion.  Mix well. 
4. Squeeze lime juice over guacamole mixture.  Season with salt and pepper. 
5. Put the avocado seed in the center of the bowl to prevent the guacamole from turning brown.  Cover the bowl with saran wrap and place in the refridgerator to chill until you are ready to serve.  

* Tip -- if you’d like to spice up your guacamole you can mix in half of a chopped jalapeño pepper.  If you do add in the jalapeño, I'd then replace the lime juice with orange juice.

While the guacamole is chilling, I get started on the burgers.   

What you’ll need
 1/2 pound lean ground turkey or lean ground beef
 1/2 jalapeño pepper, seeded and diced
 1/2 green bell pepper, julienned
 1/2 sweet onion, julienned 
1 cup lettuce, finely shredded 
 2 tablespoons taco seasoning 
1 tablespoon chili sauce or ketchup 
1 tablespoon butter
2 slices jack cheese
2 wraps
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
salsa
homemade guacamole 

Directions

1. In a medium mixing bowl combine meat, jalapeño pepper, chili sauce, taco seasoning, salt and pepper.  Mix well.  Form meat into two patties. 
   
2. In a medium skillet heat 1/2 tablespoon of butter over medium heat.  Once butter is melted add burger patties.  Cover skillet.  Let burgers cook for about 5 minutes on each side. 

3.  In a small skillet heat 1/2 tablespoon of butter, onion and green pepper. Cover skillet.  Let onion and green pepper          cook until they are melted down to desired tenderness.
4.  Check the center of each burger.  Once they are slightly pink on the inside, top with jack cheese.  Let burger cook covered for 1 more minute or until cheese is melted.
5.  Remove burgers from heat and place on a cutting board.  Carefully slice burger patties into long strips. 
6.  Place burger strips on wraps.  Top with onion, green pepper, lettuce and salsa. 

7. Fold up each end of your wrap about 1-inch towards the center.  Then roll one side in towards the other to form a nice pocket for your burger.  Cut wrap in half.  
8. Place wraps on your dinner plates.  Add guacamole and tortilla chips. 

I hope everyone has a wonderful Labor Day weekend!