Vietnamese Bistro Burgers Recipes

SAIGON BISTRO BURGER EXTRAORDINAIRE

Steps:

• 1. For the BURGERS: In a medium bowl, combine the pork, beef and shrimp. Mix with your hands gently (don't handle too much) and form into four 8-ounce burger patties, cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Let foie gras come to room temperature, cover and set aside.
• 2. For the BASTE: In a large bowl, whisk the fish sauce, hot water and sugar until the sugar is dissolved. Add the lime juice, ginger, garlic, turmeric, curry paste, and whisk to break up paste. Then add the lemongrass, shallots, mint and basil and mix well.
• 3. For the Vietnamese MAYO: Combine the sugar, nuoc mam, hot water, and lime juice and whisk until sugar is dissolved. Then add the mayo, curry powder, ginger, Sriracha and turmeric and whisk until smooth. Set aside and chill
• 4. For the DIPPING SAUCE: In a mixing bowl, whisk the sugar and hot water until dissolved. Add the fish sauce, vinegar, garlic and chile and mix well. Set aside and keep room temperature.
• 5. Preheat a grill to 300˚F to 350˚F (medium to medium-high heat) for direct and indirect heating.
• 6. Generously brush both sides of the burgers with the marinade, then grill to desired doneness (suggest medium rare). During the grilling process, brush the burgers several times on each side with the marinade so that the sugar helps form a nice crust on the burgers. Grill about 2 minutes over the heated side of the grill, 3-4 minutes on the unheated side.
• 7. Brush the foie gras slices with the marinade, then grill about 1 minute per side over direct heat. While slices are cooking lightly butter and toast the Hawaiian buns, buttered side down.
• 8. Place a burger on the bottom of each bun followed by a slice of the foie gras. Add 1-2 teaspoons of the mayo, and then some of the carrots and daikon, and a sprinkle of cilantro leaves. Finish with the lettuce and the top bun. Make all four burgers and serve with the nuoc mam on the side as a dipping sauce.

VIETNAMESE-STYLE BANH MI BURGERS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. In a small bowl, toss the carrots with the rice vinegar and sugar and let stand for 10 minutes; drain.
• In a small bowl, whisk the mayonnaise with the Tabasco, tomato paste and garlic; season with salt and pepper.
• Form the meat into four 6-inch-long oval patties about 1 inch thick. Season with the curry powder and salt and pepper. (I think I would just mix this into the meat?).
• In a large skillet, heat the oil until shimmering. Cook patties over moderate heat, turning once, until medium (about 12 minutes).
• Meanwhile, spread the butter on the cut sides of the baguette. Set the bread cut side up on a baking sheet and bake for about 5 minutes or until lightly toasted.
• Spread the Tabasco-spiked mayonnaise on the bread and top each baguette section with a burger patty, pickled shredded carrots, pickled jalapeno slices and cilantro springs.
• Close sandwiches and serve hot.
• Make Ahead: Mayonnaise and carrots can be refrigerated for up to 2 days.

BISTRO BURGERS

Steps:

• Preheat a grill to medium high. Cook the bacon in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, turning, until crisp. Drain the bacon on paper towels, reserving 2 tablespoons bacon drippings.
• Form the beef into four 6-ounce patties, about 3/4 inch thick; press the center of each patty with your thumb to make a 1/2-inch-deep indentation. Season the patties on both sides with salt and pepper. Lightly brush the grill grates with vegetable oil, then grill the patties, indentation-side up, until marked on the bottom, about 5 minutes. Flip and cook until marked and slightly firm, about 3 more minutes for medium doneness. Remove the patties to a plate and let rest 5 minutes. Grill the buns, cut-side down, until lightly toasted, about 1 minute.
• Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in the same skillet over medium-high heat. Add the eggs and fry until the yolks are set but still runny, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
• Whisk the mustard, the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, the reserved 2 tablespoons bacon drippings and the shallot in a medium bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Add the frisee and toss; season with salt and pepper.
• Spread the bun bottoms with mustard. Top with the burger patties, bacon, frisee salad and fried eggs. Cover with the bun tops.

BISTRO BURGERS WITH MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• Combine the butter, parsley and shallot in a small bowl and mash together to mix well (alternatively, pulse together in a small food processor). Season with a pinch each of salt and pepper; set aside.
• Form the beef into 4 patties, about 3 1/2 inches wide and 1 inch thick. Season generously on both sides with salt and pepper.
• Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add the mushrooms and cook, undisturbed, until starting to brown, about 3 minutes. Toss and continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned and tender, 3 to 5 more minutes; season with salt and pepper. Add 2 tablespoons of the herb butter and cook, tossing, until the mushrooms are well coated, about 30 seconds. Remove to a plate and wipe out the skillet.
• Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in the same skillet over medium-high heat. Add the burgers and cook until browned, 4 to 5 minutes per side for medium rare. In the last minute of cooking, top each patty with a slice of cheese and the mushrooms and cover to melt.
• Whisk the dijonnaise and vinegar in a bowl. Add the greens and toss; season with salt and pepper. Spread the remaining herb butter on the toasted buns; serve the burgers on the buns with the salad and more dijonnaise.

BISTRO BURGERS

Steps:

• MAKE SAUCE: Whisk sauce ingredients together in a small bowl. Set aside, allowing flavors to meld.
• MAKE VIDALIA: In a sauté pan over medium-low heat, heat butter and oil. Add sliced onion, sprinkle with brown sugar and simmer for approximately 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally until caramelized. Set aside, keeping them warm.
• MAKE BURGERS: Meanwhile, preheat grill or a cast iron skillet to high. Divide the ground sirloin into 4 burgers. Season on both sides with salt and pepper, to taste. Grill or cook in the skillet for 3-4 minutes on each side for medium-rare doneness. During last minutes of cooking add caramelized onion to each burger, then 2 slices of cheese. Cover grill or pan for approximately 1 minute to melt cheese.
• ASSEMBLY: Spread Bistro sauce on bottom of the toasted buns. Place burgers on buns. Top with suggested toppings.

BISTRO BURGER

Steps:

• HEAT grill to medium-high heat.
• SHAPE meat into 4 (1/2-inch-thick) patties.
• GRILL 4 to 6 min. on each side or until done (160 degrees F). Top with cheese; grill 1 min. or until melted. Meanwhile, place onions and buns, cut-sides down, on grill; cook 1 to 2 min. or until onions are lightly browned and buns are lightly toasted, turning onions after 1 min.
• SPREAD mayonnaise onto cut sides of buns; fill with cheeseburgers and onions.
• Serving Suggestion: Serve with a mixed green salad and your favorite fresh fruit to round out the meal.
• How to Cook on the Stove: Cook patties in large skillet on medium heat 7 to 9 min. on each side or until done (160degreesF), adding onions to the skillet for the last 5 min. and turning once. Top burgers with cheese; cover. Cook 1 min. or until melted. Continue as directed, toasting buns under the broiler if desired.
• Substitute: Substitute kaiser rolls for the hamburger buns.