Thai Burgers

Hey it's a burger! So what. Big deal. This isn't just any burger, but a burger that incorporates a lot of flavors in Thai food. Num. Num. Gimme some!Ok, so this burger isn't for everyone. Say, like my best friend, who can't stand peanut sauces or cilantro. She would not like this burger. But, if you are among the majority who like peanut butter in any way shape or form, you are gonna love this dish.

Whenever possible, I get Mrblocko to do the burger mixing. I hate the squishy feel of raw meat. I'm not so grossed out that I can't handle raw meat. It's just like killing bugs. If there is someone else around that I can convince to do the job, I'm gonna utilize them.

Mrblocko said he thought the burgers were going to be nasty as he was making the patties. Peanut butter? In a burger? Ew. He was not afraid to admit he was wrong. All the flavors are very complimentary. There is a great balance of sweet from the peanut butter and brown sugar, spice from the ginger and red pepper flakes, and tangy from the lime and soy sauce.

You could omit the cilantro if you are a hater. I happen to love cilantro, and when it is added to all the flavors I mentioned above, it brings out that Thai food vibe. Sadly, my cilantro plant is still too wee to harvest. I had to use dried cilantro which isn't that great in my opinion. Fresh is best. Still, I'm glad I used the dried cilantro, rather than skipping that flavor note all together.

This burger is very moist so keep that in mind if you are grilling it. A gentle touch is needed when flipping. If we had our old grill, the burger would have fallen through the grate and been a nasty burnt mess. If your grill is temperamental, or you don't have one, the burgers could just as easily be cooked in a pan on the stove or under the broiler.

You can find the recipe for Thai-Style Burgers over at Cookie Baker Lynn.
1-1/2 lbs ground chuck
1/2 cup creamy or crunchy peanut butter
2 Tbsp sour cream
2 Tbsp soy sauce
1 Tbsp fresh lime juice
1 Tbsp minced fresh cilantro leaves
2 Tsp peeled and grated fresh ginger
2 tsp light brown sugar
1 tsp crushed red pepper
1/2 tsp fine sea salt
1/2 tsp finely ground black pepper
6 hamburger buns, grilled or toasted
Lettuce, sliced tomatoes, and sliced onions
Barbecue sauce of your choice

Prepare a medium-hot fire in your grill. Combine the beef, peanut butter, sour cream, soy sauce, lime juice, cilantro, ginger, brown sugar, red pepper, salt, and black pepper in a large bowl, blending well with your hands. Shape into six patties 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick. Place the burgers directly over the coals, cover and grill to your desired degree of doneness, 5 to 7 minutes for medium rare. Place the burgers on the buns ad top with lettuce, tomato, onion, and barbecue sauce.
Makes 6 servings.