Thai Peanut Burgers Food

EASY THAI BURGERS WITH PEANUT SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat a grill to medium-high heat (can probably use an oven broiler or skillet to pan fry the burgers).
• For the burgers, add the ground meat, ginger, green onions, chili garlic sauce, salt and pepper to a food processor and pulse until combined. Alternate method: use an electric stand or handheld mixer OR make sure the green onions and ginger are very finely chopped and combine very well with your hands. Shape the meat mixture into 5-6 patties about 1/2-inch thick and slightly larger in diameter than the buns you are using (they'll shrink a bit while cooking).
• For the peanut sauce, whisk or blend all the ingredients together. The sauce can be made several days in advance and refrigerated.
• For the slaw, in a medium bowl, toss together the carrots, cabbage and green onion. In a small bowl, whisk together the lime juice (or vinegar), oil, sugar and a pinch of salt and pepper. Toss the vegetables with the dressing and set aside until serving. The slaw can be made several hours (or up to a day) in advance.
• Grill/cook the burgers until desired doneness (if using ground pork or ground turkey, cook until well done). Assemble the burgers on buns topped with peanut sauce and slaw.

THAI PEANUT BURGERS

Steps:

• Mix everything together. I would do this with my hands to get everything really combined, but if you're sqeamish, use a wooden spoon.
• Grill, broil or pan fry until done to your taste. I usually have to hold back the urge to eat it a la tartare ;-).
• Serve on buns with your choice of condiments (sweet chili, srichcha or harissa are the faves in our house).

COCONUT BASIL CHICKEN BURGERS WITH THAI PEANUT PESTO

Steps:

• Prepare a medium-hot fire in a charcoal grill with a cover, or preheat a gas grill to medium-high.
• For the slaw: Whisk together the lime juice and sugar in a medium-sized bowl to dissolve the sugar. Add the pear and carrot and toss to coat. Cover and chill until serving time.
• For the pesto: Place all of the ingredients except the tomatoes in a small food processor; process briefly until the mixture forms a coarse paste. Transfer to a small bowl and gently stir in the tomatoes. Cover and set aside.
• For the patties: Combine the coconut milk, lime zest, and lime juice in a 10-inch fire-proof skillet. Place the skillet on the grill rack and bring the mixture to a simmer. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is thickened and reduced to 2/3 cup, about 15 minutes. Add the curry paste to the mixture and whisk until smooth. Transfer to a small bowl to cool.
• Place the chicken in a large mixing bowl. Add the cooled coconut milk mixture, basil, panko and salt. Using a large fork, mix the ingredients together gently but thoroughly. Divide the mixture into 6 equal portions and form the portions into patties to fit the buns, making a slight indentation in the center of each patty.
• When the grill is ready, brush the grill rack with oil. Place the patties on the rack, cover, and cook for 4 minutes. Flip the patties, cover, and cook an additional 4 minutes, or until the juices run clear from the center of the patties when pierced. During the last few minutes of cooking, arrange the buns, cut side down, around the edges of the grill to toast lightly.
• To assemble the burgers: Distribute an equal amount of the slaw on the bottom buns. Top each with a patty and a dollop of the pesto. Add the bun tops and serve.