Italian Steak Melt Burgers

 

                    Ring the changes and use mozzarella cheese, fontina, Bel Paese, or even Gorgonzola in this recipe. These delicious burgers are ideal served as a part of a barbecue party  or an informal supper dish.

Serves 4

• 1 lb/450 gr best ground steak
• 1 onion, grated
• 2-4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1 small red bell pepper, seeded, peeled, and chopped
• One-tird cup pitted black olives, finely chopped
• Pepper
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 2 large tomatoes, thickly sliced
• 3 oz/85 gr Gruyère cheese, sliced

1. Place the ground steak, onion, garlic, red bell pepper, olives, pepper, and tomato paste in a food processor and, using the pulse button, blend together.
2. Shape into 4 equal-size burgers, then cover and let chill for at least 30 minutes.
3. Preheat the broiler to medium-high.
4. Place the burgers on a foil-lined broiler rack and cook under the hot broiler for 3-5 minutes on each side or until cooked to personal preference.
5. Place a tomato slice on top of each burger, then place the cheese over the tomato.
6. Broil for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese starts to melt.
7. Place some radicchio and aragula leaves on the bases of 4 lightly toasted ciabatta rolls, drizzle with a little balsamic vinegar.
8. Place the burgers on top, sprinkle some Parmesan cheese shavings over them and place the lid in position.
9. Serve.

BN APPÉÉÉÉÉÉÉTIT

Porc Épicé du Sichuan

 

Pour 4 portions

• 280 gr viande de porc, coupée en fines lanières
• 15 ml huile d'arachide
• 15 ml sauce de haricots
• 15 ml haricots noirs fermentés, rincés et légèrement écrasés
• 5 ml pâte de haricots rouge (facultatif)
• 1 poivron vert, finement émincé
• 5 ml sucre
• 5 ml sauce de soja noire
• 1 pincée de poivre blanc

1. Porter une casserole d'eau à ébullition, ajouter le porc et couvrir.
2. Laisser mijoter 20 minutes en écumant la surface de temps en temps.
3. Laisser refroidir et couper en fines lamelles.
4. Dans un wok préchauffé ou une sauteuse, chauffer l'huile, ajouter la viande et faire revenir jusqu'à ce qu'elle rétrécisse.
5. Incorporer le reste des ingrédients et faire revenir 2 minutes.

BON APPÉÉÉÉÉÉTIT

Cheese and Apple Burgers

 

                    Savory cheese and sweet apple always seem to bring out the best in each other. Here they work their magic in a burger, adding melting texture and sharp flavor to the tender beef.

Serves 4-6

• 1 lb/450 gr best ground steak
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1-2 teaspoons whole-grain mustard, or to taste
• Pepper
• 2-3 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 2 oz/55 gr Cheddar cheese, grated
• 2 Bramley apples
• 1 teaspoon butter, melted
• 2-3 teaspoons superfine sugar
• 2 oz/55 gr Gruyere cheese, thinly sliced

1. Place the ground steak in a large bowl, add the onion, mustard, pepper, Worcestershire sauce to taste, and the grated cheese.
2. Peel and core 1 of the apples, then grate and add to the bowl, mix together, then shape into 4-6 equal-size burgers.
3. Cover and let chill for 30 minutes.
4. Preheat the broiler to medium-high.
5. Peel and core the remaining apple whole, then cut into 4-6 thick slices, brush with melted butter and sprinkle with the sugar.
6. Place on a foil-lined broiler rack and cook under the hot broiler for 2-3 minutes on each side or until caramelized, set aside.
7. Cook the burgers under the hot broiler for 4-6 minutes on each side or until cooked to personal preference.
8. Top the burgers with the sliced cheese and broil until the cheese has melted.
9. Lightly toast 4-6 whole-wheat baps, top with some baby spinach leaves, and the burgers.
10. Place the apple slices on top, spoon over a little pickle and serve with a mixed salad.

BON APPÉÉÉÉÉTIT

BLT Burgers

 

                    What could be better for fans of the BLT than a BLT burger? The asparagus and avocado dip adds that extra taste dimension. When making dips or salsas, prepare them at least 30 minutes before using.

Serves 4-6

• 8 oz/225 gr Canadian bacon slices
• 1 lb/450 gr best ground steak
• 1 onion, grated
• 2-4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• Salt and pepper
• 1-2 tablespoons corn oil

Dip

• 6 oz/175 gr baby asparagus spears
• 1 small ripe avocado, peeled, pitted, and finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 2 firm tomatoes, peeled, seeded, and finely chopped
• Two-third cup sour cream
• Salt and pepper

1. Remove any rind and fat from the bacon slices and chop finely.
2. Place bacon, ground steak, onion, garlic, and salt and pepper in a large bowl and mix well.
3. Shape into 4-6 equal-size burgers, then cover and let chill for 30 minutes.
4. Trim the asparagus and cook in a pan of lightly salted boiling water for 5 minutes, then drain and plunge into cold water.
5. When cold, drain and finely chop half the spears into a bowl, sprinkle the lemon juice over the avocado and stir in the avocado, tomatoes, and sour cream.
6. Add salt and pepper to taste, cover, and let chill until required.
7. Heat a heavy-bottom skillet and add the oil.
8. When hot, add the burgers and cook over medium heat for 5-6 minutes on each side or until cooked to personal preference.
9. Arrange lettuce greens over the bases of 4-6 toasted baps, add the burgers, the reserved asparagus, and some tomato slices.
10. Place a spoonful of dip on top, add the lid, and serve with french fries and the remaining dip.

BON APPÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉTIT

Sauté de Noix de Saint-Jacques "Cuisine chinoise"

 

Pour 4 portions

• 450 gr noix de Saint-Jacques
• 30 ml huile de sésame
• 15 ml coriandre fraiche hachée
• 15 ml persil plat frais haché
• Nouilles de riz, en accompagnement

Sauce

• 30 ml jus de citron
• 30 ml sauce de soja
• 15 ml miel
• 15 ml gingembre frais haché
• 15 ml sauce de poisson
• 1 gousse d'ail, hachée

1. Mettre dans une terrine le jus de citron, la sauce de soja, le miel, le gingembre, la sauce de poisson et l'ail, mélanger jusqu'a ce que le miel soit dissous et incorporer les noix de Saint-Jacques.
2. Chauffer un wok ou une poêle 3 minutes, ajouter l'huile et chauffer 30 secondes.
3. Ajouter les noix de Saint-Jacques avec leur sauce, la coriandre et le persil, cuire 3 minutes sans cesser de remuer "un peu moins si les noix de Saint-Jacques sont petites", et servir immédiatement accompagné de nouilles de riz.

BON APPÉÉÉÉTIT

Chili Burgers with Cilantro and Scallions

 

Serves 4

• 7 oz/200 gr canned red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 lb/450 gr best ground steak
• 1-2 red chilies, such as jalapeno, seeded and chopped, or to taste
• 2-4 garlic cloves, crushed
• 6 scallions, chopped
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
• Salt and pepper

Salsa

• 3 ripe tomatoes, peeled and finely chopped
• 1 small ripe avocado, peeled, pitted, and mashed
• 4 scallions, finely chopped
• 1 fresh red jalapeno chili, seeded and finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro

1. Place the kidney beans in a food processor and blend for 1 minute.
2. Add the ground steak, chilies, garlic, scallions, cilantro, and salt and pepper to the food processor and blend for an additional 2 minutes.
3. Shape into 4 equal-size burgers, then cover and let chill for 30 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, make the salsa, mix the tomatoes, avocado, scallions, chili, and cilantro together.
5. Place in a small bowl, cover, and let stand for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to develop.
6. Heat a nonstick skillet until hot.
7. When hot, add the burgers and cook over medium heat for 3-5 minutes on each side, until golden or until cooked to personal preference.
8. Heat 4 corn tortilla shells according to the package instructions, fill with shredded lettuce and grated carrot and then the burgers.
9. Top with the salsa and sour cream.

BON APPÉÉÉÉÉÉÉTIT

The Ultimate Cheeseburger

 

                    For an extra spicy kick to this delicious variation on the classic cheeseburger, place a good spoonful of English mustard on top of the cooked burger before adding the slice of cheese.

Serves 4

• 1 lb/450 gr best ground steak
• 4 onions
• 2-4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1-1½ tablespoons creamed horseradish
• Pepper
• 8 lean Canadian bacon slices
• 2 tablespoons corn oil
• 4 cheese slices

1. Place the ground steak in a large bowl.
2. Finely grate 1 of the onions and add to the ground steak in the bowl.
3. Add the garlic, horseradish, and pepper to the steak mixture in the bowl.
4. Mix together, then shape into 4 equal-size burgers.
5. Wrap each burger in 2 slices of bacon, then cover and let chill for 30 minutes.
6. Preheat the broiler to medium-high.
7. Slice the remaining onions.
8. Heat the oil in a skillet, add the onions and cook over medium heat for 8-10 minutes, stirring frequently, until the onions are golden brown.
9. Drain on paper towels and keep warm.
10. Cook the burgers under the hot broiler for 3-5 minutes on each side or until cooked to personal preference.
11. Toast 4 sesame seed baps.
12. Arrange shredded romaine lettuce on their bases, add the burgers, sautéed onion, a spoonful of relish, and cheese slice.
13. Flash broil for 1-2 minutes, add the lid and serve with extra relish and french fries.

BON APPÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉÉTIT