SHU MAI-STYLE BURGERS

Shu Mai-Style Burgers image

These burgers are inspired by the pork and shrimp filling of a shu mai dumpling. This gives you uncommon flavor in a burger - not only from the shrimp, but also from the combination of Asian ingredients - with adequate fat.

Provided by Mark Bittman

Categories dinner, easy, quick, weekday, burgers, main course

Time 30m

Yield 8 burgers

Number Of Ingredients 12

Ingredients

1/2 pound shrimp, peeled
2 medium cloves garlic
1 1/2 pounds boneless pork shoulder, with the fat, cut into 1-inch cubes
2 teaspoons soy sauce
1/4 cup chopped scallion plus more for garnish
1/4 cup chopped cilantro plus more for garnish
1 small fresh chili, seeded and minced
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
Salt
freshly ground black pepper to taste
Shredded cabbage to garnish (optional)
pickled pepper, to garnish (optional)

Steps:

If grilling or broiling, heat should be medium-high and rack about 4 inches from fire. Put shrimp and garlic in a food processor and pulse until just chopped; remove to a large bowl. Working in batches, grind pork fat until just chopped (be careful not to over-process). Add to bowl. Then grind meat until just chopped, again being careful not to over-process; add to bowl.
Mix shrimp, pork fat and meat with the soy sauce, scallion, cilantro, chili and ginger; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Shape into 8 patties.
To broil or grill, cook about 4 minutes, then turn and cook for a total of 8 to 10 minutes, or until nicely browned and cooked through. For stovetop, heat a large skillet over medium heat for 2 or 3 minutes, then add the patties; cook undisturbed, for about 4 minutes, then turn and cook for a total of 8 to 10 minutes, or until nicely browned and cooked through.
Garnish with scallion, cilantro, cabbage and pickled pepper, to taste.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 226, UnsaturatedFat 9 grams, Carbohydrate 1 gram, Fat 16 grams, Fiber 0 grams, Protein 19 grams, SaturatedFat 5 grams, Sodium 289 milligrams, Sugar 0 grams, TransFat 0 grams