Sesame-Ginger Pork Patty with Grilled Pineapple

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Ditch the bun and serve this Asian-inspired pork burger with sweet grilled pineapple on top of a zesty watercress-and-carrot salad. We like the taste and texture of fresh pineapple for this recipe, but canned pineapple rings work well too. Serve with short-grain brown rice.

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Cook Time:
35 mins
Total Time:
35 mins
Servings:
4
Yield:
4 servings
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Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce

  • 2 scallions, chopped

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger

  • 2 teaspoons sesame oil, divided

  • 1 pound ground pork

  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar

  • 4 pineapple rings, 1/4 inch thick

  • 4 cups watercress (about 1 large bunch), tough stems removed

  • 1 cup shredded carrot

Directions

  1. Preheat grill to medium-high (or see Stovetop Variation).

  2. Combine soy sauce, scallions, garlic, ginger and 1 teaspoon sesame oil in a small bowl.

  3. Place pork in a medium bowl. Add half of the sauce mixture to the pork and gently combine without overmixing. Form into 4 patties, about 3/4 inch thick. Add the remaining 1 teaspoon sesame oil and vinegar to the remaining sauce mixture and set aside.

  4. Oil the grill rack (see Tip). Grill the burgers, turning once, until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the center registers 155 degrees F, 4 to 5 minutes per side. During the last 3 minutes of cooking, add the pineapple rings to the grill and cook, turning once, until dark grill marks appear.

  5. Combine watercress and carrot in a large bowl. Toss with 2 tablespoons of the reserved sauce. Divide the salad among 4 plates. Top each portion with a pineapple ring and a burger. Drizzle any remaining sauce on top.

Tips

Stovetop Variation: Coat a nonstick pan, preferably cast-iron (or a grill pan), with cooking spray and heat over medium-high heat for 1 to 2 minutes. Add burgers, reduce heat to medium and cook, turning once, until an instant-read thermometer registers 155°F (for pork and bison) or 165° (for beef or chicken), 4 to 5 minutes per side.

Tip: To oil a grill rack, oil a folded paper towel, hold it with tongs and rub it over the rack. (Do not use cooking spray on a hot grill.)

People with celiac disease or gluten-sensitivity should use soy sauces that are labeled "gluten-free," as soy sauce may contain wheat or other gluten-containing sweeteners and flavors.

Originally appeared: EatingWell Magazine, May/June 2011

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

217 Calories
9g Fat
13g Carbs
25g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Calories 217
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 13g 5%
Dietary Fiber 2g 8%
Total Sugars 7g
Protein 25g 49%
Total Fat 9g 11%
Saturated Fat 3g 15%
Cholesterol 66mg 22%
Vitamin A 5787IU 116%
Vitamin C 45mg 50%
Folate 23mcg 6%
Sodium 531mg 23%
Calcium 81mg 6%
Iron 2mg 8%
Magnesium 38mg 9%
Potassium 540mg 11%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

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