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Southeast Asian Turkey Burgers
 
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Prep Time: 40 Minutes
Cook Time: 65 Minutes
Ready In: 105 Minutes
Servings: 4
Looking to jazz up a backyard barbecue? The bold flavors in this burger will definitely get guests talking. A paste of lemongrass, garlic, ginger, and serrano chile enlivens ground turkey, while also helping to keep it moist. If you don't have a mini food processor, don't be discouraged. It may take longer, but it's still worth the effort to finely chop the ingredients and mash them to a paste using a mortar and pestle. A spicy lime vinaigrette takes the place of traditional condiments.
Ingredients:
2 fresh lemongrass stalks, root ends trimmed and 1 or 2 tough outer leaves discarded from each
2 garlic cloves, chopped
3 tablespoons chopped shallot
1 tablespoon finely chopped peeled ginger
1 (3-inch) fresh serrano or jalapeño chile, finely chopped, including seeds
1 teaspoon water
4 teaspoons asian fish sauce, divided
1 1/2 pounds ground turkey (dark meat only)
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon dried hot red-pepper flakes
4 kaiser rolls, split and grilled
2 cups mixed fresh mint, basil, and cilantro leaves
Directions:
1. Thinly slice bottom 6 inches of lemongrass (1/4 cup), discarding remainder. Finely grind lemongrass, garlic, shallot, ginger, and chile with water and 2 teaspoons fish sauce in mini food processor, scraping down side frequently, until a paste forms.
2. Mix paste and turkey with your hands until just combined (do not overmix) and form into 4 (3/4-inch-thick) patties (4 inches in diameter). Chill patties, covered with plastic wrap, 1 hour (to allow flavors to develop).
3. Whisk together lime juice, oil, sugar, red-pepper flakes, 1/8 teaspoon salt, and remaining 2 teaspoons fish sauce until sugar is dissolved.
4. Prepare grill for direct-heat cooking over medium-hot charcoal (medium heat for gas).
5. Oil grill rack, then grill patties, covered only if using a gas grill, turning over once, until just cooked through, 10 to 12 minutes total.
6. Whisk lime-juice sauce, then drizzle cut side of a bottom bun evenly with 1 tablespoon sauce. Top with a patty and 1/2 cup mixed herbs. Drizzle herbs with 1 tablespoon sauce and top with bun. Assemble 3 more burgers in same manner.
7. Cooks' notes: · Patties can be chilled up to 8 hours. · If you aren't able to grill outdoors, patties can be cooked in an oiled large (2-burner) ridged grill pan over medium-high heat, turning over once, until just cooked through, 12 to 14 minutes.
By RecipeOfHealth.com