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Recipe Detail Page
Lime Leaf Pork Burger with Garlic-Chili Jam
and Lime-Glazed Bacon
Early Summer 2013
A good burger, especially one with unexpected flavours, is a sure-fire backyard hit. This one, featuring makrut lime leaves and lime-juice-spiked bacon and savoury jam, is one you might want to consider doubling. Makrut lime leaves are available at Asian markets and increasingly in large well-stocked grocers.
Serves 4
GARLIC-CHILI JAM
¼ cup (60 mL) fresh lime juice
⅓ cup (80 mL) sugar
5 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 small Thai red chilies, finely chopped
½ cup (125 mL) finely chopped red bell pepper
1 cup (250 mL) peeled, chopped ripe tomato (see TIP)
2 tbsp (30 mL) fish sauce
3 tbsp (45 mL) fresh lime juice
¼ cup (60 mL) packed brown sugar
1 tbsp (15 mL) cracked black pepper
4 slices bacon
1¼ lbs (625 g) ground pork
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
Fresh ginger, a 1 inch (2.5 cm) piece, peeled and finely chopped
3 green onions, chopped
3 makrut lime leaves, finely chopped
1 small Thai red chili, finely chopped
½ tsp (2 mL) salt
4 soft white hamburger buns, lightly toasted
4 leaves bibb lettuce
½ red onion, sliced
1 For the garlic-chili jam, combine lime juice and sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat; stir to dissolve sugar. Add garlic, chilies, red pepper and tomato. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer for 40 to 45 minutes, or until vegetables are very tender and mixture is reduced by half. Stir in fish sauce and allow to cool to room temperature. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. (Jam may be made up to 3 days in advance).
2 Preheat grill to medium-high.
3 In a measuring cup or small bowl, combine lime juice, brown sugar and pepper; stir until sugar is dissolved. Cut bacon strips in half. Set lime mixture and bacon aside.
4 In a large bowl, combine pork, garlic, ginger, green onion, lime leaf, chili and salt; mix to combine. Divide into 4 patties about ¾ inch (2 cm) thick. Place on grill and cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side or until just cooked through.
5 While patties are cooking, grill bacon for 2 to 3 minutes per side; brush generously with lime mixture and continue to cook for about 1 minute longer or until sticky and caramelized.
6 To assemble, line bottom buns with lettuce, top with patties, red onion, a generous spoonful of garlic-chili jam, and 2 pieces of bacon each.
Serves 4
TIP To peel tomatoes, cut a small x in the base of each tomato. Bring a pot of water to a boil. Place tomatoes in water and cook for 30 to 45 seconds or until skin is loosened. Remove with a slotted spoon and when cool enough to handle, slip skins from tomatoes.
