Jean Georges Grilled Burgers with Asian Pickles

 

When summer rolls around, all I want to do is eat hamburgers and drink frozen margaritas.  But in the back of my head, there is always that annoying voice saying "Don't do it! It's summer! Go to the gym! Work on your flabby arms!" So instead of munching away on a juicy, medium rare hamburgers topped with lettuce, tomatoes, american cheese and lots and lots of ketchup sandwiched in between a doughy, toasted bun studded with sesame seeds, I stick to the salads and shrimp cocktails cursing bathing suits and sleeveless tops. 

But since we are still stuck in the depths of this long, cold, endless winter (seriously Winter, isn't it about time you head down to the Southern Hemisphere?), I will eat all of the burgers I want. And there is no better burger to chow down on than this burger created by the famous Jean Georges.  Food and Wine Magazine sums it up best when they say that "superchef Jean Georges Vongerichten gives his phenomenal burgers fun Asian touches, like a Russian dressing flavored with miso and the zippy hot sauce Sriracha, and crunchy pickles made with a rice vinegar brine."

I mean, seriously. They used the word zippy. ZIPPY. I need to find a way to use that word. 

These burgers are incredible.  They are a drip-down-the-side-of-your-hand, can't-take-big-enough-bites type of burger. Divine. Delicious. Incredible. And totally worth all of the calories. 

Jean Georges Grilled Burgers with Asian Pickles adapted from Food and Wine Magazine

INGREDIENTS
PICKLES
 
1/2 cup rice vinegar
3 tablespoons sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 Thai green chile, halved lengthwise
1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 small seedless cucumber, peeled and sliced crosswise 1/4 inch thick (1 cup)
 
RUSSIAN DRESSING
 
1/2 cup ketchup
1/3 cup mayonnaise
2 1/2 tablespoons finely chopped cornichons
1 tablespoon finely chopped shallots
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon white miso paste
1 teaspoon Sriracha chile sauce
Salt
 
BURGERS
 
2 pounds ground beef sirloin, formed into four 1 1/2-inch-thick patties
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 kaiser rolls, toasted
4 large Boston lettuce leaves
4 slices of beefsteak tomato
 
Make the Pickles: In a saucepan, bring the vinegar, sugar, salt and chile to a boil. Remove from the heat and let cool. Add the limejuice and pour the brine over the cucumber slices. Press the cucumber slices down into the liquid with a small plate and place a can on the plate; let stand at room temperature for 4 hours.
 
Make the Russian Dressing: In a bowl, combine the ketchup with the mayonnaise, cornichons, shallots, vinegar, miso and Sriracha and season with salt.
 
Make the Burgers: Light a grill. Season the patties with salt and black pepper and grill over high heat, turning once, until the burgers are charred outside and medium-rare within, about 6 minutes.
 
Spread the Russian dressing on the rolls and cover with the lettuce and tomatoes. Top with the burgers and pickles; serve.

Comments

[jenn (Bread + Butter)]

I would forego the whole gym thing for one day to have one of these burgers. I seriously would.

[Cheri]

My mouth is watering beyond belief. Tell your burger to make it's way on over here and get into my belly!

[5 Star Foodie]

I love Jean Georges recipes! Will have to make this asap - the Russian dressing with miso paste and sriracha sounds incredible!

[dawn]

man that looks so good! I MUST make this.

[AmyRuth]

Looks & Sounds lips licking good. I just see all that Extra working out necessary to burn off the goodness. Could be worth it though.
Thanks for sharing such a scrummie burger.
AmyRuth

[grace]

except for the hearty dose of mayo in that russian dressing, this sounds like a wonderful burger. and of all the things to be described as 'zippy,' i think sriracha is definitely worthy. :)

[DailyChef]

Mmm...this looks like a burger I'd eat year-round! Forget those summer workouts. Better to be full and content! Any burger with Sriracha has my full attention :-P

[Jennifer]

These look delicious-and burgers can be so addictive!!!!!

[Jen]

Oh my! These burgers sound amazing! I love the idea of the russian dressing with Sriracha - yum!

[Jessie]

I love burgers period. I always feel bad eating them after but that's what the gym is there for to burn it off after! lol this burger looks and sound seriously amazing

[Emily]

Oh I love this recipe! What a great idea!

[Eliana]

There is nothing like a good burger in the summer (or any time of year).

[Mimi]

Great recipe for changing up an American classic.
Mimi

[Jen @ My Kitchen Addiction]

YUM! I love burgers any time of the year. Strangely enough, I haven't made them in a while... I'll have to give this recipe a try. It sounds amazing.

[Nicole]

Why oh why did I stop by your site when it's the end of the day at work and I'm starving?!? Holy yum!

[Jamie @ My Baking Addiction]

I like the word zippy...I like it a lot! This burger looks fabulous!

[Cookin' Canuck]

Oh my! The Asian pickles and that dressing sound incredible. It's always the garnishes that really make a burger great.

[Amanda]

Looks smashing! Gym? What's that?

[carmen]

sometimes you just can't beat a good burger! i never really make them at home but i'll have to try sometime!

[ugg knightsbridge]

I think your idea was great! Analysis of very unique! You good ah! You do things its own characteristics ah!