Guacamole Bacon Burger

If I had to assign burgers to each state, I would give this one to California. So much of our cuisine is Mexican food. I could personally eat Mexican food 365 days a year. I'm actually accused of cooking too much Mexican dishes (by my family of course) but I'm also accused of cooking too much southern dishes. Yet they keep eating my food. Go figure!

Back to my burger. Ahh burgers. Who doesn't like burgers? Add some bacon and some guacamole and I am definitely in heaven. The avocado is so creamy and pairs so nice with the salty bacon and burger.

Guacamole Bacon Burger

First you need to bake some bacon. Yes bake! I don't stand over a stove with bacon popping all over the place. This is by far the easiest way and the easiest clean up.


Second cook up some burgers. No I'm not going to tell you how to make burgers. BBQ, pan fry or broil. Just make sure you use some kosher salt, pepper and some garlic powder. Why kosher salt? It's awesome and if you switch to it you will definitely taste a difference. Plus the kosher salt makes this crusty flavor that table salt doesn't give. Make sure you melt some cheese on top too!



Third, make some guacamole!


Take two beautiful avocados and spoon into a bowl. Add one lime, salt, pepper and 3 TB of either salsa or in my case hot sauce. Yes hot sauce. Completely addictive and yet you aren't eating with tortilla chips but I dare you to resist. No this isn't the guacamole I make for chips but equally good.



Lastly make some secret sauce! What's in secret sauce? I can't tell you! It's a secret. Naaah!! just mix some mayo and ketchup till a pretty pink. But that's a secret. Some add relish or mustard. We like it simple.

Now pile ALL onto toasted buns and you have the perfect California Burger!

BBQ Beef Sandwiches with Creamy Cucumber Sauce

I don't think I've raved enough about my crock pot lately. With sports, kids, two puppies and a husband that is gone (I mean somebody has to work and he doesn't seem to mind) dinner can be the last thing on your mind. Although food is ALWAYS on my mind. Miss a meal lately? Not likely!

This was so easy to put together and it smelled...oh my! It killed us all day! The Ballplayer is not a sauce fan but these arent really saucy so he loved them. Other members of my house added more sauce. The cucumber relish on top just mellows the BBQ flavor. It may sound different but a total hit with my family.


BBQ Beef Sandwiches with Creamy Cucumber Sauce
Spice Rub
1 TB smoked paprika
1 TB garlic powder
1 TB oregano
1 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp cayenne

Mix together and sprinkle all over the roast. If you get it on the counter, it's extra points! Rub in with your hands.

Heat about 2 TB oil in a pan. Brown all sides of roast. Place in the crock pot. Do not discard drippings.

In same pan place one sliced red onion.

Make sure you scape the bottom of the pan and get off all bits that might have been stuck to the pan. All flavoring.

Add 3/4 cup red wine to the pan.

Pick one you would drink. Right now I'm obsessing over this one. It's under ten bucks a bottle on sale and is good!

Add one TB Dijon mustard and 2 TB brown sugar. Just eye ball it.

Add 2 TB Brown Sugar (I just eye ball it)

Now add one cup of tomato sauce.

Mix well and dump the whole thing on top of the roast.


Cook 4 hours on high.

Pull from crockpot when the meat starts to pull apart easily with two forks




Creamy Cucumber Relish
1/2 English cucumber
1 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp garlic powder
1 cup sour cream
1 tsp Dill

Chop the cucumber as finely as possible. Place in a strainer. Place strainer in a bowl. Sprinkle kosher salt over and mix. Let sit at least an hour. This is to pull any extra water out of cucumber so the relish isn't watery.

Discard the excess water. Mix remaining ingredients. Chill for 30 minutes.



Serve beef on toasted buns with cucumber relish.