Miso-Ponzu Burgers

with Sesame Shishitos & Mushrooms

Serves 2 · 25–35 minutes

beef, burgers, weeknight

Ingredients

• 10 oz ground beef
• 4 oz cremini mushrooms
• 1 clove garlic
• 1 Tbsp sesame oil
• 1 Tbsp vegetarian ponzu sauce
• 3 oz shishito peppers
• 2 potato buns
• 1 red onion
• 1 Tbsp sweet white miso paste
• 2 Tbsp mayonnaise
• 1 tsp black & white sesame seeds

Also: olive oil, salt, pepper

Steps

1. Prepare the ingredients

   • Wash and dry the fresh produce.
   • Cut the mushrooms into bite-sized pieces.
   • Peel 1 clove of garlic; using a zester, finely grate into a paste (or use the small side of a box grater).
   • Peel the onion and cut crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick rounds, keeping the layers intact.
   • Halve the buns.
   • Cut off and discard the stems of the peppers; cut crosswise into 1-inch pieces. Thoroughly wash your hands and cutting board immediately after handling.
   • In a bowl, whisk together the miso paste, ponzu sauce, and mayonnaise.

2. Cook the vegetables

   • In a large pan (nonstick, if you have one), heat the sesame oil on medium-high until hot.
   • Add the mushroom pieces and pepper pieces in an even layer. Cook, without stirring, 3 to 4 minutes, or until lightly browned. Season with salt and pepper. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, 2 to 3 minutes, or until softened.
   • Transfer to a bowl; cover with foil to keep warm.
   • Wipe out the pan.

3. Cook the patties & onion

   • Meanwhile, in a bowl, combine the beef and garlic paste; season with salt and pepper. Gently mix to combine.
   • Form the mixture into two 1/2-inch-thick patties.
   • In the same pan, heat a drizzle of olive oil on medium-high until hot.
   • Add the patties and onion rounds in an even layer. Loosely cover the pan with foil. Cook 4 to 5 minutes per side (flipping carefully, as the oil may splatter), or until the onion rounds are lightly charred and the patties are browned and cooked through.
   • Leaving any browned bits (or fond) in the pan, transfer the cooked patties and onion to a work surface.

4. Toast the buns & serve your dish

   • In the pan of reserved fond, heat a drizzle of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Add the halved buns, cut side down. Toast 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until lightly browned. Transfer to a work surface.
   • Assemble the burgers using the toasted buns, miso-ponzu mayo, cooked patties, and as much of the cooked onion as you'd like.
   • Serve the burgers with the cooked vegetables. Garnish the vegetables with the sesame seeds.