Cuban Style Pork Burger

Makes 4 Burgers

 

Instead of adding the more commonly used lime zest for this group of flavors, I substituted grapefruit zest as a necessity and found when I later went back to the traditional combination that I preferred grapefruit!

• 1-1/2 to 1-3/4 pounds ground pork
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves,
       plus extra for garnish
• 2 garlic cloves or 4 caramelized garlic cloves
       (page 9 of the book), finely chopped
• 1 heaping tablespoon dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon freshly grated grapefruit zest
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 to 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Place the pork, cilantro, garlic, oregano, grapefruit zest and cumin in a large bowl and, using your hands, mix until the ingredients are evenly incorporated. Place the mixture on a work surface and divide into 4 balls of equal size. Form each into a patty about 3/4 to 1 inch thick, tossing it back and forth between your hands. To ensure more even cooking, make a 1/2-inch indentation with your thumb in the center of the burger. Handle the patties as little as possible; do not work more than necessary.

Prepare a grill to medium-high. When the coals are glowing red, after 15 to 20 minutes, cover with the grate. After 5 minutes, use a wire brush to thoroughly clean the grate. Brush the grate with oil. When the coals are covered with pale gray ash and you can leave your hand 5 inches above the fire for 2 to 3 seconds, the coals are ready.

Sprinkle both sides of the burgers with the salt and pepper. Place the burgers on the grate and grill until well seared on both sides, about 5 minutes for medium rare or 6 minutes for medium. Transfer to buns, small baguettes or a serving platter, garnish with cilantro and serve immediately.

Alternatively, place a cast iron skillet over high heat and when it is hot but not smoking add the burgers to the dry pan. Cook until well seared on both sides, 8 to 10 minutes for medium rare or 10 to 12 minutes for medium.

 

• from:
• Recipe of the Week: Burgers
  52 Easy Recipes for Year-round Cooking
• by Sally Sampson
• Wiley, 2008
• $16.95; Paperback; 112 pages
• ISBN-10: 0470169443
• ISBN-13: 9780470169445
• Recipe reprinted by permission.

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This page created May 2008