Sunnys Maui Luau Burger Recipes

SUNNY'S SIZZLING SUMMER BURGER

Steps:

• Place the patties on a tray in one layer. Mix the salt, pepper, cumin, garlic and onion powders and paprika in a small bowl. Sprinkle on both sides of the patties and rest at room temperature for 2 hours.
• Heat a grill to medium-high heat.
• Add the patties to the grill and cook to desired doneness, flipping once.
• Meanwhile, whisk together the cheese sauce and sriracha seasoning in a small saucepot. Heat over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until fully combined and hot.
• Lay down some lettuce leaves on the bottom buns, then top with the patties, onion slices, fried jalapenos and finally the cheese sauce. Top with the top buns and serve.

SUNNY'S DIABLO DIABLO DIABLO BURGER

Steps:

• Line a small baking sheet or plate with parchment paper. Portion the nacho cheese dip into 6 equal portions using a small ice cream scoop and place onto the prepared baking sheet. Freeze for at least 4 hours, or you can do this step the day before and freeze overnight.
• When ready to make the burgers, preheat a grill or grill pan to medium high.
• Add the beef into a large bowl and sprinkle on the chiles, sambal, 2 teaspoons salt and a few hefty grinds of black pepper. Gently mix with your less dominate hand until just combined. Divide the mixture into 6 equal portions. Take 1 portion and flatten slightly. Add 1 portion of the frozen nacho cheese to the center of the patty and wrap the edges up and around, pinching to cover. Repeat with the remaining portions.
• Add the burgers to the grill over direct heat and cook until the burgers easily release from the grill, about 4 minutes. Then, gently flip and cook the burgers on the other side just 2 minutes more. Transfer the burgers to a serving platter and allow to cool slightly while grilling the buns.
• Brush the cut side of each bun with some of the melted butter. Grill the buns buttered-side down until golden and toasted.
• Sprinkle the avocado slices with the lime juice and a sprinkle of salt. In a large bowl, whisk together the hot sauce with the confectioners' sugar until dissolved, then add the lettuce and toss to coat.
• Build the burgers by starting with a bottom bun, then add a slice of pepper Jack cheese, a burger, avocado slices, a mound of dressed lettuce and a top bun. Repeat with the remaining ingredients.

SUNNY'S BREAKIN'-THE-FAST BURGER

Steps:

• For the rolls: Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F.
• Scoop a bit of bread out of each roll top to create a well, discarding the scooped bread. Brush the insides, top and bottom, with the melted butter. Close the rolls and wrap individually or together in aluminum foil, then place directly on the oven rack to warm while preparing the burgers, no longer than 20 minutes.
• For the burgers: Add the ground chuck, bacon, paprika, salt and a few grinds of pepper to a large bowl. Gently mix with your non-dominant hand, using your fingers like a pitchfork so you don't squish the meat. Mound the mixture into a ball and divide in half, then divide each half in half again to make 4 even portions.
• Add a drizzle of olive oil to a griddle pan over high heat. Gently roll each portion of meat into a ball and place on the pan. Using the back of a plate, a flat lid or a spatula (with no holes), press each ball into a flat patty, slightly larger than the rolls. Cook the patties until they easily release from the griddle, 2 to 3 minutes. Flip, then top each with a slice of cheese and continue to cook until the patties are cooked through and the cheese is melted, another 2 to 3 minutes.
• Meanwhile, add the jalapeño to the griddle and char on all sides, then remove and finely chop, removing the seeds if you would like less heat.
• Build the burgers: Whisk the hot sauce and maple syrup together in a small bowl. Remove the rolls from the oven and unwrap. Put a patty on each roll, then drizzle each with the maple hot sauce. Top each with some jalapeño followed by a fried egg and more hot sauce as desired.

SUNNY'S SMOKEHOUSE BURGER

Steps:

• Roast the mushrooms: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with nonstick aluminum foil.
• In a large bowl, add the mushrooms, a generous drizzle of oil, Italian seasoning, paprika and red chile flakes and toss to coat. Spread the mushrooms out on the lined baking sheet. Bake until they shrink a bit and the moisture looks mostly wicked away, 25 to 30 minutes. Remove and lightly season with salt. Allow to cool a bit on the sheet, then transfer to a bowl.
• Make the patties: In a large bowl, add the beef in chunks and sprinkle with the salt and plenty of pepper. With your less dominant hand, fold and mix the burger with your fingers stretched open like a pitchfork. Mix until just combined. Divide into 4 equal parts and make a ball out of each. Flatten to a size just a bit wider in circumference than your buns.
• Fit a baking sheet with a rack and set aside. In a cast-iron pan or griddle on medium heat, add a bit of oil, then the patties. Cook, flipping once, until desired doneness, 3 to 4 minutes per side for medium-rare. Transfer to the baking sheet and top each with two slices of cheese. Tent with aluminum foil or cover with an upside-down metal baking dish for about 5 minutes.
• Make the onion rings: Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F. Pour 2 inches of peanut oil in a tall pot and heat on medium-high heat until the temperature registers 350 degrees F on a deep-fry thermometer. Fit a baking sheet with a rack and set aside.
• In a large bowl, whisk together 2 cups of the flour, the smoked paprika and a nice pinch of salt. Whisk in the beer until the mixture resembles a thick pancake batter. Drink the remaining beer. In a separate bowl, add and separate the rings of onion, then dust them with the remaining 1/2 cup flour, tossing with your hands to ensure that they are all coated.
• Working in small batches so as to not overcrowd the pot, dunk the flour-coated onions into the batter, then directly into the oil. Fry until golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer the onion rings to the wire rack and keep warm in the oven. Continue to fry the onion rings, allowing the oil to return to 350 degrees F before adding more.
• Assemble burgers: Place a patty on each bun bottom, then add some mushrooms, 2 to 3 onion rings and drizzle of your favorite barbecue sauce. Top with the bun tops.

LUAU BURGERS

Steps:

• 1. In a bowl, combine pork, bell pepper, soy sauce, ginger, garlic powder, bread crumbs and reserved 1/4 cup of pineapple juice.
• 2. Mix very well. Form into 6 patties.
• 3. Grill covered for 3 minutes on each side.
• 4. Brush with teriyaki sauce. Cook another 4-6 minutes on each side or until done.
• 5. Also place 6 pineapple slice on the grill. Brush with teriyaki sauce,
• 6. Grill for 2 minutes on each side.
• 7. Spread mayonnaise and teriyaki sauce on buns.Place a leaf of lettuce on each bun.
• 8. When they are done, place a patty on each bun. Top with a slice of Swiss cheese.
• 9. Place a grilled pineapple slice on each.