Popper Beef Burger          
This recipe was a finalist in the 1999 National Beef Cookoff.
Source: Southern Living

Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Servings: Serves 4
1 lb. lean ground beef
1/4 cup prepared thick-and-chunky salsa
4 frozen cream cheese-stuffed jalapeno peppers
1/4 cup prepared chile con queso
1/4 cup chopped fresh plum tomato
2 Tbsp. sliced pitted ripe olives
4 hamburger buns




Combine ground beef and 1/4 cup salsa in large bowl, mixing lightly but thoroughly.
Divide beef mixture into 4 equal portions and lightly flatten into thin patties. Place one stuffed pepper in center of each patty. Wrap the beef around the pepper to enclose, sealing seams and forming a ball. Flatten balls into patties about 4-5 inches across and 1 inch thick.
Place patties on grill over medium ash-covered coals. Grill covered, 15-16 minutes to 165°F internal temperature, turning occasionally.
Spread 1 Tbsp. chile con queso evenly over top of each burger. Sprinkle with tomato and olives and serve on hamburger buns with additional salsa as desired.