Chinese 5-Spice Burger

Chinese 5-Spice Burger

Several years ago I entered a Sunset Magazine cooking contest for "Best Burger". The only requirement was that one of the ingredients be one of several local wines. Alas, I did not win the Grand Prize, but my name was placed beside the words "Honorable Mention."

Not too bad for someone who typically doesn't eat beef and doesn't own a grill.

I could elaborate with a long story. But today this recipe will be short, sweet, and to the point.

Photo Credit: James Carrier, Sunset Magazine

Equipment Needed

• 8 or 10-inch nonstick frying pan
• medium-size bowl
• charcoal or gas grill
• instant-read thermometer

Ingredients

• 1 cup button mushrooms, thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 green onions (including tops), finely chopped
• 6 tablespoons Chinese plum sauce
• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 2 tablespoons Merlot wine
• 1 clove garlic, finely minced
• 1/2 tsp. Chinese 5-spice powder
• 1 tsp. dark sesame oil
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tsp. salt
• vegetable oil for brushing on the grill rack
• 4 large sesame seed buns, split
• red lettuce leaves

Instructions

1. Pour oil into an 8- to 10-inch nonstick frying pan over high heat; when hot, add mushrooms and stir until lightly browned about 4 minutes. Stir in the green onions and plum sauce and remove from heat.
2. In a bowl, gently mix ground beef with soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, Chinese five-spice, and ginger. Shape the beef mixture into four equal patties, each about 1/2 inch thick.
3. Lay patties on a lightly oiled barbecue grill over a solid bed of medium-hot coals or medium-high heat on a gas grill (you can hold your hand at grill level for only 3 to 4 seconds); close the lid on the gas grill. Cook patties until no longer pink in the center (cut to test) or a thermometer inserted in the center reaches 160°, 6 to 8 minutes total, turning once to brown evenly. After 5 minutes, lay bun halves, cut side down, on the grill, and toast lightly, 1 to 2 minutes.

To assemble

1. On the bottom half of each roll, layer the lettuce, burger, and sautéed mushroom mixture. Cover with the roll tops.