A Good Book and a Burger

Relaxing

When I graduated in May I was excited to have a summer OFF!  It is the first time in 8 years that I am not taking a class or teaching a class!  I understand that not every one gets to spend their summers catching rays! It is a luxury and it makes up for the 20 minute lunches, scheduled bathroom breaks, the late night planning and correcting of papers, and everything else that goes on behind the scenes a school's walls.




I'll miss these ladies!

Not only am I looking forward to no school, most importantly, I was looking forward to developing my summer glow while indulging in a good book!  Maybe the newest best seller, a series, a novel, or a classic! Yes - no textbook in site! Just a good fun read! Well that was the plan until last week.  So what am I reading you ask?  Well here it is... Methods of Effective Teaching.  Although this not quite what I had in mind, this is the book that I will be using this Fall as I teach my first collegiate class!   My formal title at UNO is Instructional Coach. I will serve as a mentor and supervisor to undergraduates in the Teacher Education program. As I prepare my syllabus and develop my content for this course, I am grateful to all the teachers I have had in my life, from my family, friends, colleagues, and professors, their dynamic lessons and support will continue to serve as a model as I begin this next adventure.

As for adventures in my kitchen - I have had a lot of time for those this summer!  It finally seems to have stopped raining so it is time to fire up the grill!  Tonight we had Quesadilla Burgers!  Simple and fresh ingredients make this burger one that I will be sure to make again soon! 

Quesadilla Burger

Ingredients
1 lb. ground meat(turkey, chicken, beef, venison)
1 tsp. Cayenne Pepper
1 tsp. Chili Powder
1 tsp. smoked Paprika
1 tomato (chopped)
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup chopped jalapeno
Chopped Cilantro
Lime
2 avocados
1tsp. garlic powder
Bun or Lettuce
Slice of Provolone Cheese

Preparation
1. Begin by seasoning the ground meat with Pepper, Chili Powder, and Paprika. 
2. Form into patties.  Place a small indent with your thumb in the center of each patty.  This will help
    them cook evenly.
3.  Next, combine the diced tomatoes, onion, jalapeno, and cilantro.  Squeeze the juice of half a lime
     over the mixture and season with salt.
4. In a separate dish, mash the avocados.  Stir in the garlic powder.
5. Grill the patties to your liking and add the cheese.

To assemble:  Place burger on a  bun then top with avocado spread and tomato salsa!

Other variations: Combine the tomato mixture with the avocado spread for homemade guacamole. (I chose to keep them separate so you could take the flavor of each individually.) Wrap in lettuce for a low carb/calorie meal.