Grilled Cucumbers And Eggplant Contributed By Kay Chun Food

KOREAN CHEESEBURGERS WITH SESAME-CUCUMBER PICKLES

Korean Cheeseburgers With Sesame-Cucumber Pickles image

These double-stacked cheeseburgers bring all the savory-sweet flavors of grilled Korean barbecue. A garlicky scallion marinade helps build flavor three different ways: stirred into burger mix, brushed on the patties to form a glaze, and combined with mayonnaise to create a special sauce. The burgers are formed into thin patties, set on a baking sheet and broiled for maximum caramelization and weeknight ease. Roasted sesame oil rounds out tangy pickles and bolsters the burger with extra umami.

Provided by Kay Chun

Categories burgers, main course

Time 25m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

Ingredients

2 teaspoons distilled white vinegar
Kosher salt and black pepper
2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon turbinado sugar
2 large Persian cucumbers, sliced 1/8-inch-thick
1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
2 tablespoons chopped scallions
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 1/2 teaspoons roasted sesame oil
1 1/2 pounds ground beef (preferably chuck or sirloin)
4 slices American cheese
4 hamburger buns
Butter lettuce, sliced onions and sliced tomatoes, for serving

Steps:

In a medium bowl, combine vinegar, 1 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon sugar, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Add cucumbers and toss to coat, then let stand at room temperature.
Heat broiler to high and set oven rack set 6 inches from heat. In a small bowl, combine soy sauce, scallions, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon pepper and remaining 2 tablespoons sugar. Mix well, stirring until the sugar is dissolved. Transfer 1 tablespoon of the marinade to a small bowl and stir in mayonnaise and ½ teaspoon sesame oil. Set aside.
In a medium bowl, combine beef and 3 tablespoons of the scallion marinade. Gently mix to incorporate. Form into 8 thin patties (each about 4 ½ inches wide) and arrange in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Brush tops with half of the remaining marinade. Flip and brush with the remaining marinade. Broil until golden and caramelized on top, about 4 minutes.
Arrange cheese on 4 patties, top with the remaining patties and let stand until cheese melts, about 1 minute.
Pour off all the liquid from the cucumbers and stir in the remaining 2 teaspoons sesame oil.
Smear the cut side of the buns with some of the seasoned mayonnaise. Arrange bottom buns on plates. Layer with lettuce, onion, tomato, double-stack burgers, pickles and top bun. Serve with extra pickles on the side.

GRILLED SESAME CHICKEN AND EGGPLANT SALAD

Grilled Sesame Chicken and Eggplant Salad image

This is a salad that is French by design and Chinese by flavor. The ginger and sesame notwithstanding, it is essentially very much like a salade composée, a "composed salad" where the ingredients are arranged and dressed but not tossed, with grilled chicken breast and a zesty vinaigrette. The jalapeño is optional, so you can turn down the heat.

Provided by David Tanis

Categories salads and dressings, main course

Time 1h

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 25

Ingredients

4 boneless skin-on chicken breasts, about 8 ounces each
Salt and pepper
2 large eggplants, about 2 pounds
1 tablespoon grated ginger
1 tablespoon grated garlic
2 tablespoons soy sauce
3 tablespoons roasted peanut oil
1 teaspoon sesame oil
2 tablespoons rice wine
1/2 teaspoon Chinese chile paste or 1/4 teaspoon cayenne
2 teaspoons rice vinegar
1 teaspoon grated ginger
1 teaspoon brown sugar
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon sesame oil
3 tablespoons roasted peanut oil
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon lime juice
Bibb or Romaine lettuce leaves
1 pound small cucumbers, peeled and cut in 1/4-inch slices
1/2 cup thinly sliced scallions
3/4 cup cilantro, leaves and tender stems, roughly chopped
2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
1 jalapeño, green or red, thinly sliced, optional
Lime wedges

Steps:

Remove the tenderloins from the underside of the chicken breasts and reserve for another purpose. Trim breasts if necessary and flatten them slightly with a meat mallet. Season on both sides with salt and pepper and place in a shallow dish. Using a clean knife and cutting board, peel eggplant and cut into 1/2-inch slices, then season with salt and pepper. Place eggplant slices in a separate shallow dish.
Prepare the marinade: stir together ginger, garlic, soy sauce, peanut oil, sesame oil, rice wine and chile paste in a small bowl. Pour half the marinade over chicken and remaining marinade over eggplant, turning over to coat well. Leave at room temperature for 30 minutes. (You may do this step up to 2 hours ahead and refrigerate. Return to room temperature before cooking.)
Make the vinaigrette: whisk together rice vinegar, ginger, brown sugar, mustard, sesame oil, peanut oil, salt and lime juice. Set aside.
Heat a stovetop grill pan over medium-high heat, or use a charcoal or gas grill. Grill eggplant slices until nicely browned and softened, about 3 minutes per side. Remove and hold at room temperature. Lay chicken breasts on the grill skin side down and let cook until nicely browned, about 5 minutes. Turn and cook on the other side until firm to the touch, about 2 minutes more. Remove breasts to a platter and let rest 5 minutes.
Line a large platter with lettuce leaves. Cut chicken into 1/4-inch slices and arrange over lettuce. Arrange grilled eggplant around the platter. Lightly salt cucumbers and dress with 1 tablespoon vinaigrette, then scatter over salad. Spoon the rest of the vinaigrette evenly over salad. Top with scallions and cilantro, and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Garnish with optional jalapeño slices and lime wedges and serve.

SESAME SALMON BOWLS

Sesame Salmon Bowls image

This one-pot meal, which is inspired by chirashi, or Japanese rice and raw fish bowls, features a savory vinegared rice that's typically served with sushi. Traditionally, the rice is cooked first, then mixed with vinegar, but here, the rice is cooked in vinegar-seasoned water to eliminate a step. The result is sticky rice that's tangy and sweet, and a perfect bed for fatty salmon. The salmon is added toward the end to steam directly on top of the rice for an easy one-pan meal. Packaged coleslaw is a time saver, eliminating extra knife work. Make a double batch of the zesty dressing for drizzling over roasted vegetables or green leafy salads the next day.

Provided by Kay Chun

Categories grains and rice, seafood, main course

Time 40m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 15

Ingredients

1/4 cup unseasoned rice vinegar
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more for seasoning
1 1/2 cups sushi rice (short-grain white rice), rinsed until water runs clear
1 1/2 pounds skinless salmon fillet, cut into 1-inch cubes
1/2 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
3 tablespoons distilled white vinegar
2 tablespoons safflower or canola oil
2 tablespoons coarsely chopped scallions
2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger (from one 2-inch piece)
3 Persian cucumbers, thinly sliced
8 ounces green coleslaw mix (about 3 packed cups)
1 avocado, halved, pitted and thinly sliced
Torn toasted nori sheets, for garnish (optional)

Steps:

In a large saucepan, combine rice vinegar, sugar and salt; stir to dissolve the sugar. Add the rice and 1 3/4 cups water, and mix well. Bring to a boil over high heat, then cover and reduce heat to low. Cook until rice is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed, about 20 minutes.
In a small bowl, toss salmon with 1/4 teaspoon sesame oil and season with salt. Once rice is tender (after about 20 minutes), arrange salmon in an even layer on top of rice. Cover and steam over low heat until fish is cooked to medium, about 12 minutes longer.
Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine soy sauce, white vinegar, safflower oil, scallions, ginger and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon sesame oil. Mix well, and season with salt.
Scoop salmon and rice into bowls. Top each with some cucumbers, coleslaw mix and avocado. Drizzle with the vinaigrette. Top with nori, if using.

GRILLED CHICKEN CUCUMBER SALAD

Grilled Chicken Cucumber Salad image

"I often increase this quick and light yet nourishing grilled salad to serve company," notes Patricia Vatta of Norwood, Ontario.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Lunch

Time 40m

Yield 2 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 6

Ingredients

1/2 cup cucumber ranch salad dressing
1/4 teaspoon dill weed
2 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (6 ounces each)
1 medium apple, cored and cut into 1/4-inch rings
2 cups mixed salad greens
1-1/4 cups sliced cucumber

Steps:

In a small bowl, combine salad dressing and dill. Pour 1/4 cup into a large resealable plastic bag; add chicken. Seal bag and turn to coat; refrigerate for 20 minutes. Refrigerate remaining dressing. , Drain and discard marinade. Using long-handled tongs, moisten a paper towel with cooking oil and lightly coat the grill rack. Grill chicken, covered, over medium heat or broil 4 in. from the heat for 6 minutes on each side or until a thermometer reads 170°. Keep warm., Brush 1 tablespoon dressing over apple rings; grill for 1 minute on each side. Divide salad greens and cucumber between two serving plates. Slice chicken; arrange chicken and apple rings over greens. Serve with remaining dressing.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 356 calories, Fat 15g fat (2g saturated fat), Cholesterol 107mg cholesterol, Sodium 551mg sodium, Carbohydrate 19g carbohydrate (12g sugars, Fiber 4g fiber), Protein 36g protein.