Email to Cat      

Teriyaki Sliders with Grilled Pineapple

Source of Recipe

From "Williams-Sonoma: Burger Night"


Recipe Introduction

"These kid-friendly sliders strike the perfect balance between sweet and savory — and each burger is just the right size for little hands to hold. To make these even more festive, look for frilly toothpicks to keep each slider closed. Serve with Sweet Potato Fries (see recipe) and a salad of Little Gems with Blue Cheese Dressing (see recipe)."

List of Ingredients

1 teaspoon vegetable or canola oil
1 clove garlic, minced
1-inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and minced
½ cup low-sodium soy sauce
¼ cup dark brown sugar, firmly packed
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 pound ground pork
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro leaves
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
10 Hawaiian sweet rolls, split
3 rings (½ inch thick) fresh pineapple


Recipe

Warm the vegetable oil in a small saucepan over medium heat.
Add the garlic and ginger and cook just until soft but not browned, about 30 seconds. Add the soy sauce, brown sugar, and vinegar and stir to combine. In a small bowl, stir together ¼ cup water and the cornstarch and add to the saucepan. Bring the sauce to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium and let simmer until thickened, 3 to 4 minutes. Set the teriyaki sauce aside.

Build a medium-hot fire in a charcoal grill or preheat a gas grill to medium-high.

In a bowl, combine the ground pork with 2 tablespoons of the cooled teriyaki sauce and the cilantro. Season well with salt and pepper. Form into 10 patties, using your fingers to create a small dimple in each.

Coat the grill grate lightly with cooking spray. Arrange the burgers on the grate directly over the heat and grill, turning once, until medium, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate and cover to keep warm. Arrange the rolls, cut side down, on the grate directly over the heat and toast until lightly grill-marked. Transfer to a plate.

Brush the pineapple slices with teriyaki sauce and arrange on the grill grate directly over the heat. Grill, turning once and basting with more teriyaki sauce, until soft and nicely grill-marked, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer the pineapple to a cutting board and cut each slice into quarters.

Slather the rolls with teriyaki sauce. Set the burgers on the rolls and top with the pineapple. Close the burgers and serve right away.


Serves 4 to 6