INDOOR-GRILLED MEAT PATTIES WITH EGGPLANT AND MUSHROOMS By Wolfgang Puck
St. Paul Pioneer Press Makes 6 to 8 servings. 4 slices globe eggplant, each about 1/2-inch thick 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus extra for brushing eggplant 2 medium shallots, minced 1/2 pound mushrooms, trimmed, wiped clean and coarsely chopped Salt Freshly ground black pepper 1 1/2 cups heavy cream 2 pounds ground beef, pork, veal, lamb, turkey, chicken or any combination 2 large eggs, lightly beaten 2 tablespoons minced garlic 2 teaspoons ground cumin 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme leaves To prepare grill: Preheat electric panini maker or double-sided countertop grill. To cook eggplant: Brush eggplant slices on both sides with some olive oil. Place in panini maker or grill. Close lid. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes or until tender. (Or cook under hot broiler, turning once, for 6 to 8 minutes total.) Turn off heat. Remove eggplant slices to plate. Set aside to cool. To cook vegetables: In small skillet over medium-high heat, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil. Add shallots. Saute, stirring frequently, for 3 to 5 minutes or until pale golden. Add mushrooms. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Saute, stirring frequently, for 3 to 4 minutes or until softened. Add cream. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 to 7 minutes or until mixture forms fairly thick paste with no excess liquid. Remove skillet from heat. Transfer mixture to mixing bowl. Cool for 10 minutes. To make burger mixture: Chop cooled eggplant. Add to mixing bowl. Also add ground meat, eggs, garlic, cumin, thyme and a little salt and pepper. Stir until thoroughly blended. To cook burgers: Reheat panini maker or double-sided grill (or heat large skillet over medium-high heat). Using moistened hands, form mixture into large, square patties 3 by 3 inches and 3/4-inch thick. Place as many patties on cooking surface as will fit comfortably. Cover with lid. Cook for 4 minutes or until browned and cooked through. (Or heat a little olive oil in skillet and cook patties for 3 1/2 to 4 minutes per side.) Transfer patties to heated platter. Cover with aluminum foil to keep warm while you cook any remaining batches. _______________________________________________ Cookinginthedark mailing list [email protected] http://acbradio.org/mailman/listinfo/cookinginthedark
