Citrus Glazed Smoked Salmon

Thai Chicken Burgers

Barbeque Chicken Burgers with Thai Spices and Green Chili Relish


Ingredients:

1 tablespoon red curry paste
2 sticks lemongrass, tough outer casing removed, very finely chopped
¼ teaspoon tumeric
1-inch-piece ginger root, peeled, finely grated
1 pound ground chicken breast, well chilled
9 ounces ground pork, well chilled
3 kaffir lime leaves, finely chopped
2 tablespoons chopped fresh Thai basil
1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons fresh coconut milk
Pinch each ground cumin and ground coriander
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Vegetable oil for cooking
Large tomato, sliced for garnish

Instructions:

In a bowl mix together the curry paste, lemongrass, turmeric and ginger. Add the ground meats and mix well with wet hands to bring all the ingredients together.

Add the lime leaves, fresh herbs, coconut milk, ground spices and seasoning. Bring together again, but do not overwork. With wet hands, shape into 4 evenly sized burgers. Place in the refrigerator to chill for 30 minutes.

Pre-heat the grill to medium. Brush the burgers with a little oil, place on the grill, and cook for 6 to 8 minutes until golden and cooked, turning them regularly.

Toast the burger buns, spread the bottom buns liberally with the Green Chili Relish, and top each with a slice of large tomato. Place the burgers on top and garnish with the Coconut-Lemongrass Chutney; close with the lid and serve.



Green Chili Relish
Ingredients:

½ cup rice wine vinegar
1/3 cup brown sugar
½ cup raisins, soaked in water for 15 minutes, then drained
2 shallots, finely chopped
2 green bell peppers, deseeded, chopped
5 ounces mild green chilies, deseeded, finely chopped
½ tablespoon chopped ginger root
1 garlic clove, crushed
1 teaspoon fish sauce

Instructions:

Place the vinegar and sugar in a small pan and bring to a boil. Add the raisins and cook to a light caramel; the liquid should be syrupy.

Stir in the shallots, green bell pepper, chilies, ginger and garlic. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, add the fish sauce, then remove from the heat and leave to cool. Place in a blender, mix to a coarse puree, serve chilled.

Beignets

Beignet Recipe:

1 cup lukewarm water
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg, room temperature and beaten
2 tablespoons butter, softened
1/2 cup evaporated milk
4 cups bread flour or all-purpose flour
3 teaspoons instant active dry yeast
Vegetable oil*
Powdered sugar for dusting

* Use just enough vegetable oil to completely cover beignets while frying.


Using a mixer with a dough hook, place water, sugar, salt, egg, butter, evaporated milk, flour, and yeast in the bowl. Beat until smooth. If using a bread machine, select dough setting and press Start. When dough cycle has finished, remove dough from pan and turn out onto a lightly oiled surface. form dough into an oval, place in a lightly greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until well chilled (3 to 4 hours) or overnight.

To prepare dough, remove from refrigerator and roll out on a lightly floured board to 1/2-inch thickness. Cut into approximately 3-inch squares or circles.

In a deep fryer or large pot, heat vegetable oil to 360 degrees F. Fry the beignets (2 or 3 at a time) 2 to 3 minutes or until they are puffed and golden brown on both sides, turning them in the oil with tongs once or twice to get them evenly brown; beignets will rise to the surface of the oil as soon as they begin to puff. NOTE: If the beignets don't rise to the top immediately when dropped into the oil, the oil is not hot enough. Remove from oil and drain on paper towels, then sprinkle heavily with powdered sugar. Serve hot.

The dough can be kept for up to a week in the refrigerator - it actually improves with age; just punch down when it rises. Dough can also be frozen; cut and roll, or shape doughnuts before freezing.)

Makes 18 beignets.