The Most Amazing Asian Burgers

Note: if you want to use the Asian pickles as a topping for your burgers, prepare them at least 30 minutes prior to making the burgers.

For the burgers:

1. In a small skillet sweat the onions in 1 teaspoon of oil over medium heat.
2. Once the onions are translucent add the garlic and fresh ginger, cook for about 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
3. Add all of the burger ingredients (including the cooked onions, garlic and ginger) into a large bowl, and using your hands, gently but thoroughly mix the ingredients.
4. Form the meat into 4 patties.
5. Put the patties into the refrigerator to rest for about 30 minutes.
6. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large, heavy bottomed skillet over the heat, between medium and medium high heat. When the pan is hot, add the burgers and cook for about 7 minutes on each side. The burgers must be cooked all the way through. These burgers can also be grilled. If you grill them, grill over the same heat level and for roughly the same time.
7. Serve on a bun with the toppings suggested below.

For the quick Asian pickles:

1. In a medium bowl, stir together the rice vinegar, water and honey.
2. Add the cucumber and onion slices to the bowl with the vinegar.
3. Refrigerate for 30 minutes for up to 3 days.

For the hoisin mayonnaise:

Whisk the mayonnaise and hoisin sauce together in a small bowl.

Suggested burger toppings: lettuce, diced red bell pepper, chipotle Gouda or pepper jack cheese slices, Quick Asian Pickles (see recipe above), Hoisin Mayo (see recipe above).