Author Notes: While these may not be an actual “one-bite” appetizer, I guarantee you will take one bite, put it down and groan with delight! these produce a wonderful sensation on the tongue because they hit the sweet-salty-spicy-and meaty taste buds! The mayo has a “brightness” to it because of the lemongrass and the broccoli slaw adds a delighful crunch. —lorigoldsby
Serves: 12
Ingredients
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2
pounds fresh, lean hamburger
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12
slider buns or hawaiian mini rolls
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6
pieces of thick hardwood smoked bacon
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2
tablespoons chili paste (sambal oelek) divided
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2
tablespoons brown sugar
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2
teaspoons wasabi (divided)
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1
teaspoon lemongrass
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1/4
cup mayo (divided)
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1
package of brocoli slaw
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2
tablespoons rice wine vinegar
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1
teaspoon agave or sugar (optional)
Directions
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Cook bacon on paper towels in microwave for 3 minutes. (Bacon will not be brown).
Pat dry bacon, transfer to a wire rack placed on top of a baking tray.
- Mix 2 T. of brown sugar and 2 T. of chili paste. Spread over the bacon. Bake in a 400 degree oven for 5-7 minutes or until golden brown.
- Divide beef into 12 burgers. cook til desired doneness–we like a slight pink. Drain burgers on paper towels. You want the meat to be moist on the inside but “dry” on the outside
- To make the mayo: combine 2 T. of mayo with 1 t. wasabi and 1 t. lemongrass
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To make the slaw: into the remaining mayo add the rice wine vinegar and remaining chili paste, toss the broccoli slaw. Season with salt and pepper and add agave or sugar if you desire a sweeter slaw. The brown sugar bacon provides a sweet taste–so this is purely personal taste.
This slaw is excellent with pork bbq or chicken as well.
- To assemble the burgers: spread a little of the mayo on the bottom, then top with the burger and bacon and then top with a scant T. of the slaw. Don’t go overboard with the slaw–you want to be able to eat this without falling apart. I put the slaw on top (while most would put it on the bottom…) because the top bun is uaually bigger and it can “absorb” more of the liquid. Spread a little of the mayo on the top bun as well. For picture taking purposes, i put the slaw on the bottom so you could see the bacon.
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Mouth waters, drool, wipe chin, repeat.
To get a true “one bite” size, you can cut each slider into quarters and secure with a toothpick. If you do this, break each bacon strip into large one- bite sized pieces so that each quarter has a decent sized piece of bacon.
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