3639. BACON BANBANJI BURGERS

note: banbanji is a Japanese salad traditionally made with chilled chicken and cucumber.

makes six burgers


Patty seasonings:

2 tablespoons reduced sodium soy sauce
2 tablespoons mirin
2 tablespoons grated fresh ginger, including juices
1 tablespoon Sriracha sauce
1 tablespoon pure sesame oil
2 teaspoons cracked black pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt

Cucumber-Wakame Salad:
1 cup very thinly sliced cucumber, peeled if waxed (about 1/2 medium-sized)
1/3 cup re-hydrated wakame seaweed
1 1/2 cups thinly sliced nappa cabbage
1/4 cup sliced green onion
2 teaspoons toasted black sesame seeds
1/4 cup natural rice vinegar
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon hot chili oil

Bacon Sauce:
1/2 cup quality ketchup
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon Sriracha sauce

Shiitake Sauce:
3 tablespoons red miso
3 tablespoons mirin
1/2 teaspoon pure sesame oil
1 1/2 pounds ground chuck, 80/20
1 pound ground sirloin, 90/10
1/2 cup sliced fresh green onions
12 strips applewood-smoked pepper bacon
3 tablespoons vegetable oil + oil for oiling grill rack
1/2 pound sliced shiitake mushroom caps (no stems)
6 sesame-seeded Kaiser rolls, split

Prepare a medium indirect heat fire in a charcoal grill with a cover, or preheat a gas grill to medium.

To make the patty seasonings, in a small bowl, mix together soy sauce, mirin, ginger, Sriracha, sesame oil, pepper and salt, cover and refrigerate.

To make the salad, in a medium bowl, mix together cucumber, seaweed, cabbage, green onion and sesame seeds, cover and refrigerate. In a small bowl, whisk together vinegar, lemon juice and oil, cover and refrigerate.

To make the bacon sauce, in a small bowl, mix together ketchup, Worcestershire and sesame oil; set aside.

To make the shiitake sauce, in a small bowl, mix together miso, mirin and sesame oil; set aside.

To make the patties, spread the chuck and sirloin out in a large shallow pan. Distribute the chilled patty seasoning mixture and green onions over meat. Using a fork, evenly mix seasoning mixture and green onions into meat. Divide the mixture into 6 equal portions and form the portions into patties to fit the rolls. Refrigerate until ready to grill.

To prepare bacon, lay bacon strips on a sheet pan lined with foil and place pan on grill rack. Internal grill temperature should be 375ºF. Close cover and cook bacon for 18 to 22 minutes, draining as necessary. Evenly spread slices with half of the bacon sauce and cook, covered, for 10 minutes. Dab or "mop" bacon with remaining sauce, close cover and cook for 8 to 12 minutes longer or until bacon is crisp and the sauce is firm and caramelized. Cut slices in half crosswise, tent with foil and keep warm.

Prepare a medium-hot fire in a charcoal grill with a cover, or preheat a gas grill to medium-high.

To prepare the shiitakes, heat 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a medium skillet on the grill rack. Add the shiitakes and sauté for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring frequently, until mushrooms are tender. Stir in the reserved shiitake sauce, cook for 1 to 2 minutes, remove from heat, cover and keep warm.

Toss salad vegetables with reserved dressing and set aside.

To grill the patties, brush the grill rack with vegetable oil. Place the patties on the grill rack, cover and cook, turning once, until cooked to preference, 5 to 7 minutes per side for medium. During the last few minutes of cooking, add 4 bacon slice halves to each burger and place the rolls, cut side down, on the outer edges of the rack to toast lightly.

To assemble the burgers, on each roll bottom, place an equal portion of mushrooms, followed by a bacon-topped patty and an equal portion of salad. Add the roll tops and serve.


bacon recipe source: Sutter Home Family Vineyards (@SutterHome), 277 St. Helena Hwy (Hwy 29), South St. Helena, CA 94574

3268. SIRLOIN SLIDERS with CRISPY BACON and CREAMY HORSERADISH MAYO

yields 12 mini hamburgers, 4 to 6 servings


3/4 pound ground chuck

3/4 pound ground sirloin
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1/4 cup minced onion
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
1/2 plus 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons sour cream
3 tablespoons prepared horseradish
12 dinner roll-sized small brioche buns, split in 1/2 crosswise
2 tablespoons melted butter for brushing buns
6 slices bacon, cooked crisp, drained, and broken into 2-inch pieces

 

In a mixing bowl, combine the chuck, sirloin, garlic, onion, 1 teaspoon of the salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of the pepper and mix gently but thoroughly to combine. Using a 2-ounce ice cream scoop, divide the mixture into 12 scant 2-ounce balls of meat. Using your hands, shape to form small patties about 3 inches wide and 3/8-inch thick. Place on a plate and cover with plastic wrap. Allow to sit, refrigerated, at least 1 hour and up to overnight for flavors to mingle.

In a small bowl whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream and horseradish and season with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon of salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Place in a nonreactive bowl and refrigerate until ready to serve, up to 3 days in advance.

When you are ready to cook the burgers, preheat a grill to high and lightly butter the cut sides of the buns with the melted butter. Wrap the buns in aluminum foil and place on the coolest part of the grill to warm while you grill the burgers.

Grill the burgers about 2 minutes per side for medium. Transfer to the warmed buns and garnish with pieces of the crispy bacon. Spoon a dollop of the horseradish mayonnaise on top of the bacon, then place the top portion of the bun over all. Serve the sliders hot.

bacon recipe source: Emeril Lagasse, "Tailgate," The Essence of Emeril, Food Network

2526. BACON BURGERS on BRIOCHE BUNS

yields eight servings


2 medium red onions, thinly sliced
6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for brushing
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
salt and freshly ground pepper
8 slices of thick-cut bacon (12 ounces)
3 pounds mixed ground chuck and ground sirloin
12 ounces brie, sliced
8 brioche burger buns, split

Preheat the oven to 400°. On a rimmed baking sheet, toss the onions with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil and roast until softened, about 20 minutes. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk the mayonnaise with the lemon juice. Gradually whisk in the remaining 1/4 cup of olive oil and season with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, cook the bacon over moderately high heat until crisp. Drain on paper towels and break each strip in half. Light a grill or preheat a grill pan. Form the ground meat into eight patties. Season generously with salt and pepper and brush with olive oil. Grill over moderately high heat until well-browned on the bottom, 5 minutes. Flip the burgers, mound the brie on top and grill for 4 minutes longer, until the cheese is slightly melted and the burgers are medium-rare. Spread the lemon mayonnaise on the cut sides of the buns; set the burgers on the bottoms and top with the bacon and onions. Close the burgers and serve right away.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Tyler Florence, "Pairing of the Day: October 2010, Tyler Florence's Recipe-Contest Winners," Food & Wine, October 2010