The Checkdown's Sunday Cooking series offers up star recipes from star players around the league.

Up first: An out-of-this-world good gourmet burger from Houston Texans linebacker Whitney Mercilus. Make it at home by following these easy steps:

Ingredients:

Juicy Beef Patty

• 2 pounds ground beef
• 1 1/2 tablespoons minced garlic
• 3 tablespoons finely-chopped parsley
• 4 tablespoons room temperature butter
• 1 egg

Toppings

• Brioche buns
• 1 thinly-sliced heirloom tomato
• Arugula (optional)
• Smoked Gouda cheese
• Thinly-sliced shallots

Garlic Aioli Sauce

• 1/4 cup mayo
• 1/4 teaspoons minced garlic
• 1 lemon juice
• 1 pinch of salt
• 1 pinch of pepper
• 1 teaspoons olive oil

Recipe:

1. In a mixing bowl, whisk together mayo, garlic, salt, pepper, olive oil, and lemon juice. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
2. In a large bowl, combine ground beef with garlic, parsley, butter and egg. Mix and season with salt and pepper.
3. Separate the mixture and divide into six even-sized balls for cooking.
4. Heat a cast-iron skillet on medium-high heat, and toast the brioche buns. Once the bun is lightly toasted, set aside for plating.
5. One at a time, place your patties on a medium-high heated cast-iron skillet, and smash flat with a spatula. Flip and sear each side for a few minutes, until browned.
6. After each side is cooked, place the sliced gouda cheese on top of the burger patty. Reduce heat and cover for a few minutes. Once cheese is melted, remove burger from skillet onto a plate.
7. Place grilled burger on top of bun, and top with heirloom tomato, arugula, shallots, and spread aioli. Press top bun down, and cut in half. Your gourmet burger is complete!