Sunnys Maui Luau Burger Recipes

SUNNY'S SIZZLING SUMMER BURGER

Steps:

• Place the patties on a tray in one layer. Mix the salt, pepper, cumin, garlic and onion powders and paprika in a small bowl. Sprinkle on both sides of the patties and rest at room temperature for 2 hours.
• Heat a grill to medium-high heat.
• Add the patties to the grill and cook to desired doneness, flipping once.
• Meanwhile, whisk together the cheese sauce and sriracha seasoning in a small saucepot. Heat over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until fully combined and hot.
• Lay down some lettuce leaves on the bottom buns, then top with the patties, onion slices, fried jalapenos and finally the cheese sauce. Top with the top buns and serve.

SUNNY SIDE UP BURGER

Steps:

• In a large bowl gently combine the ground beef, salt, pepper, Worcestershire sauce and liquid smoke. Divide ground burger mixture into 4 equal segments and form them into thick patties. Refrigerate on a plate for 1 hour, then remove to and allow to come to room temperature, about 30 minutes before cooking.
• In a small bowl, mix together the garlic, mayonnaise and lemon juice and salt, to taste. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
• Warm a grill pan over high heat. Lightly brush the top of each burger with vegetable oil, then arrange on the grill, oiled side down. Sear until the burgers release easily from the grill and are brown, about 5 minutes. Brush with a bit more vegetable oil, flip and cook until the center slightly springs back, indicating a medium-rare center, another 5 minutes. While the burgers are finishing, brush both sides of the bread lightly with olive oil then put on the grill and cook until toasted, about 1 minute, then flip and toast the other side. Transfer 1 slice to each serving plate and spread with the garlic spread. Top each slice with a burger and while they are resting make the eggs to top each burger. In a small pan, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over low heat, crack an egg in the center, cover and cook until the white is set and the yolk is still runny, about 5 minutes. Slide the egg on top of the of the burger, season with a bit of salt and pepper, then finish with a few shakes of hot sauce. Repeat with the remaining butter and eggs and serve.

SUNNY'S EASY ON YOUR BODY AND LEAN JALAPENO BURGER

Steps:

• For the grill: Preheat the grill to 400 degrees F or a cast-iron pan over medium-high heat.
• Crumble the beef into a large bowl. Add the salt, seasoning blend and some pepper. Mix the beef mixture gently with your hands so as to not overmix. Just fold the ground beef, don't mush or squeeze the ingredients into the beef. Form 4 patties.
• Place the patties and the jalapenos over the direct heat of the grill or into the cast-iron pan. Cook the patties on one side until the meat is seared and releases easily from the grill grates or pan, 3 to 4 minutes. Flip the patties and rotate the jalapenos to get them charred on both sides. Cook until desired doneness on the beef, 3 to 4 more minutes for medium-rare to medium.
• For the toppings: Top the burgers with the cheese and transfer to a plate or sheet pan. Cover with aluminum foil for about 5 minutes. Meanwhile, remove the charred jalapenos and chop. Spread over the cheese on the burgers.
• Squeeze mustard on both the top and bottom buns if desired. Build the burgers by topping the bottom buns with the cheeseburgers, jalapenos, a pile of red onions, a pile of lettuce and the top buns. Serve.

SUNNY'S SMOKEHOUSE BURGER

Steps:

• Roast the mushrooms: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with nonstick aluminum foil.
• In a large bowl, add the mushrooms, a generous drizzle of oil, Italian seasoning, paprika and red chile flakes and toss to coat. Spread the mushrooms out on the lined baking sheet. Bake until they shrink a bit and the moisture looks mostly wicked away, 25 to 30 minutes. Remove and lightly season with salt. Allow to cool a bit on the sheet, then transfer to a bowl.
• Make the patties: In a large bowl, add the beef in chunks and sprinkle with the salt and plenty of pepper. With your less dominant hand, fold and mix the burger with your fingers stretched open like a pitchfork. Mix until just combined. Divide into 4 equal parts and make a ball out of each. Flatten to a size just a bit wider in circumference than your buns.
• Fit a baking sheet with a rack and set aside. In a cast-iron pan or griddle on medium heat, add a bit of oil, then the patties. Cook, flipping once, until desired doneness, 3 to 4 minutes per side for medium-rare. Transfer to the baking sheet and top each with two slices of cheese. Tent with aluminum foil or cover with an upside-down metal baking dish for about 5 minutes.
• Make the onion rings: Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F. Pour 2 inches of peanut oil in a tall pot and heat on medium-high heat until the temperature registers 350 degrees F on a deep-fry thermometer. Fit a baking sheet with a rack and set aside.
• In a large bowl, whisk together 2 cups of the flour, the smoked paprika and a nice pinch of salt. Whisk in the beer until the mixture resembles a thick pancake batter. Drink the remaining beer. In a separate bowl, add and separate the rings of onion, then dust them with the remaining 1/2 cup flour, tossing with your hands to ensure that they are all coated.
• Working in small batches so as to not overcrowd the pot, dunk the flour-coated onions into the batter, then directly into the oil. Fry until golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer the onion rings to the wire rack and keep warm in the oven. Continue to fry the onion rings, allowing the oil to return to 350 degrees F before adding more.
• Assemble burgers: Place a patty on each bun bottom, then add some mushrooms, 2 to 3 onion rings and drizzle of your favorite barbecue sauce. Top with the bun tops.

ALOHA CHICKEN BURGERS

Steps:

• Place chicken breasts into a plastic zipper bag with soy sauce, seal the bag, and marinate in refrigerator for 30 minutes. While chicken is marinating, place the bacon in a large, deep skillet, and cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until evenly browned, about 10 minutes. Drain the bacon slices on a paper towel-lined plate, and set aside. Spread cut sides of hamburger buns with butter.
• Preheat an outdoor grill for medium heat, and lightly oil the grate.
• Remove the chicken from the soy sauce, and discard the excess soy sauce. Place the chicken breasts onto the preheated grill, and grill until chicken shows good grill marks, is no longer pink inside, and the juices run clear, 4 to 5 minutes per side. When chicken is almost done, brush each piece generously on both sides with teriyaki sauce to finish grilling. Place a slice of Swiss cheese on each chicken breast, and cover with a lid to help the cheese melt onto the chicken.
• While chicken is grilling, spread the buns open on the grill and cook until toasted and showing grill lines, about 2 minutes. Set the buns aside.
• To assemble, spread the grilled sides of each bun with mayonnaise, and top each bottom bun with a cooked chicken breast, 1 1/2 slices of bacon, a slice of pineapple, a slice from a head of lettuce, a slice of tomato, and the top bun.