SOUTHEAST ASIAN STYLE TURKEY BURGERS WITH PICKLED CUCUMBERS

Southeast Asian Style Turkey Burgers with Pickled Cucumbers image

Yield Serves 4

Number Of Ingredients 16

For pickled cucumbers
1/3 cup seasoned rice vinegar
1 tablespoon sugar
1/4 cup pickled ginger (optional)
1 English cucumber
For burgers
1 large garlic clove
2 slices firm white sandwich bread
1 pound lean ground turkey
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro sprigs
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
1/4 cup chopped fresh mint leaves
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
2 teaspoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon Tabasco
4 light hamburger buns

Steps:

Make pickled cucumbers:
In a bowl stir together vinegar and sugar until sugar is dissolved. If using ginger, chop. Slice enough cucumber crosswise into 1/8-inch-thick slices to measure 1 1/2 cups and add to vinegar with ginger, tossing well. Marinate mixture at least 30 minutes and up to 4 hours.
Make burgers:
Prepare grill.
Mince garlic. Into a blender tear bread slices and grind into fine crumbs. In a bowl with your hands mix garlic with bread crumbs and remaining burger ingredients until just combined (do not overmix) and form into four 1-inch-thick patties. Season burgers with salt and pepper and grill on a lightly oiled rack set 5 to 6 inches over glowing coals about 5 minutes on each side, or until just cooked through. Transfer burgers to buns and top with drained cucumbers.