Islak Burgers

These delicious burgers are a typical Turkish street food. 

 

I have been enjoying Mediterranean recipes for the past year, and one of the foods we have most enjoyed, have without a doubt been from Turkey.  There are so many delicious recipes, from heart warming stews and kebabs, to yummy street food like Pide and Simit.  I had not heard of an Islak Burger before, so when I came across this recipe I knew I had to try it.

 

Wow was it good.  It was not only easy to make, it used simple ingredients but the result was fantastic.  You can make them in a skillet or in the oven, I chose to do the oven because I was making quite a few for the whole family.  Here is the source for the recipe.

 

 

Islak Burgers

Ingredients:

1½ pounds ground beef chuck (20% fat)

2 tablespoons chopped parsley

2 large garlic cloves, finely chopped, divided

1½ teaspoons paprika, divided

5 tablespoons (or more) unsalted butter, divided

¼ cup tomato paste

4 hamburger or brioche bun

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

2 teaspoons kosher salt

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

 

 

Preheat oven to 400°F. Mix beef, parsley, half of garlic, and 1 teaspoon paprika in a large bowl. Divide into 4 loosely packed patties 4″ wide and 3/4″ thick. Make a small indentation in the center with your thumb to help keep it flat as it grills. Chill until ready to use.

Meanwhile, cook 4 tablespoon butter and remaining garlic in a medium saucepan over medium heat, swirling pan occasionally, until butter turns caramel-brown and smells nutty, about 5 minutes. Add tomato paste and remaining ½ teaspoon paprika, whisk to combine, and cook until paste begins to caramelize, about 30 seconds. Add ¾ cup water and whisk until smooth; simmer until mixture thickens slightly, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat.

Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high. Melt 1 tablespoon butter and cook buns, cut side down, until cut sides are golden-brown, about 2 minutes (you may need to do this in 2 batches, using additional butter if needed). Using a brush, generously brush cut side of buns with tomato sauce.

Transfer buns to a 13 x 9″ glass baking pan.

Add oil to the skillet and increase heat to high; heat until oil begins to smoke. Season patties on both sides with salt and pepper. Reduce heat to medium and cook burgers until lightly charred on the bottom, 2–3 minutes. Flip and cook to desired doneness, 2-3 minutes for medium-rare.

Transfer burgers to the pan with sauce and coat burgers in sauce. Transfer burgers to bun bottoms and top with top bun. Brush the top of bun with sauce. Cover the pan with foil, transfer to the oven, and bake for 5 minutes. Carefully remove foil and serve immediately.