Sweet-Hot Thai Surprise
Ingredients
2 1/2-pounds fresh ground chuck
2 3/4-heaping teaspoons kosher salt-divided
3/4-cup plus 2-teaspoons sweet chili sauce-Caravelle brand-divided
1-cup mayonnaise-Best Foods
5-6-fresh limes-squeesed 5-tablespoons of juice-divided
3/4-cup choped cinaltro-divided
1-English cucumber-cut into matchstick size pieces
1-red pepper-cut into matchstick size pieces
1 1/2-cup fresh bean sprouts
2-cloves fresh garlic-chopped
1-tablespoon Colavita Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1-tablespoon fresh ginger-peeled and grated
1/4-cup chopped fresh basil
4-green onions-sliced
2-cups Spicy Thai Kettle Chips-placed in a Ziploc bag and smashed slightly-flaten pieces
Vegetable oil, for brushing the grill rack
6-4 inch hamburger buns, split
Instructions
To start the patties: To a large bowl add the ground chuck, 2-heaping teaspoons kosher salt, and 3/4-cup of sweet chili sauce. Mix VERY lightly. Set aside.
Prepare a medium-hot fire in a charcoal grill with a cover or preheat a gas grill to medium-high. I use a gas grill.
To make the mayonnaise mixture: In a small bowl add mayonnaise, 1-tablespoon fresh lime juice, and 1/4-cup cilantro. Mix together well. Cover and refrigerate until serving.
To make the Thai salad: In a medium size bowl add the cucumber, red pepper, and bean sprouts; set aside. In a small bowl mix together 4-tablespoons lime juice, 2-cloves chopped garlic, 1-tablespoon Colavita Extra Virgin Olive Oil, 3/4-teaspoon kosher salt, 2-teaspoons sweet chili sauce, ginger, 1/2-cup chopped cilantro, and chopped basil. Mix well. Add to cucumber, red pepper, and bean sprout mixture, stir well. Cover.
To ground chuck mixture add green onion. Just before making patties add Spicy Thai Kettle Chip pieces to mixture. Mix lightly. Form into 6 equal patties.
Brush the grill rack with vegetable oil. Place the patties on the rack, cover and cook, turning once, until an instant-read thermometer reads 160 degrees, about 3-4 minutes per side. During the last few minutes of cooking, place the buns, cut side down, on the outer edges of the rack to toast lightly.
To assemble the burgers, spoon a generous amount of mayonnaise mixture on the cut sides of the buns. On each bun bottom, place a grilled patty, add equal portions of the Thai salad mix.
Add the top buns and serve.
Makes 6 burgers.