KOREAN BEEF BURGERS
Ingredients
Serves 4
1½ lbs (680 g) medium ground beef
salt and pepper to taste
1 cup (250 ml) bulgogi or kalbi sauce
½ cup (125 ml) mayonnaise
¼ cup (60 ml) gochujang sauce
1 garlic clove, minced
½ tsp (2.5 ml) toasted sesame oil
3 tbsp (45 ml) vegetable oil, divided
1 small white onion, cut into ½-in (1.25 cm) thick slices, to garnish
1 cup (250 ml) kimchi1, roughly chopped
4 leaves lettuce
4 sesame seed burger buns, halved
Instructions
- Shape ground beef into 4 patties. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, reduce bulgogi (or kalbi) sauce by half.
- In a bowl, mix mayonnaise, gochujang, garlic and sesame oil. Set aside.
- Preheat barbecue to medium-high and grease grills with 2 tbsp (30 ml) oil. Brush patties and onion slices with remaining 1 tbsp (15 ml) oil.
- Grill patties for 8 to 10 minutes or until cooked to desired doneness, brushing with bulgogi sauce and flipping constantly. While patties cook, grill onions 4 minutes per side. Remove burgers and onions from barbecue once done and let rest for 2 minutes. Meanwhile, grill burger buns cut-side down until golden brown, about 1 to 2 minutes.
- To assemble burgers, spread both sides of buns with kimchi mayonnaise. Place a patty on each bottom bun. Top each patty with kimchi, grilled onions, a lettuce leaf and bun top.
Drink Pairings
PORK SLIDERS
Ingredients
Serves 8
¾ cup (175 ml) barbecue sauce
1 tbsp (15 ml) molasses
2 tbsp (30 ml) ketchup
3 tbsp (45 ml) apple cider vinegar, divided
1 tbsp (15 ml) brown sugar
1½ lbs (680 g) ground pork
2 tsp (10 ml) Cajun seasoning
2 tbsp (30 ml) vegetable oil
1 cup (250 ml) thinly sliced red cabbage
¼ cup (60 ml) julienned carrots
1 green onion, thinly sliced
1 tsp (5 ml) grainy mustard
3 tbsp (45 ml) mayonnaise, divided
salt and pepper, to taste
8 slider buns, halved
1 small bag hickory sticks
Instructions
- In a saucepan over medium heat, cook barbecue sauce, molasses, ketchup, 2 tbsp (30 ml) apple cider vinegar and brown sugar until reduced by half, about 5 to 10 minutes.
- Divide ground pork into 8 patties. Sprinkle with Cajun seasoning and salt and pepper to taste.
- Preheat barbecue to medium-high and grease grills with 2 tbsp (30 ml) oil. Brush patties with barbeque sauce mixture.
- To make cabbage slaw, in a medium-sized bowl, mix cabbage, carrot, green onion, remaining 1 tbsp (15 ml) apple cider vinegar, mustard and 2 tbsp (30 ml) mayonnaise. Season to taste with salt and pepper and set aside.
- Grill patties for 4 to 6 minutes, until cooked to 160 F (70 C), turning frequently and brushing with barbecue sauce mixture. While patties are cooking, warm buns cut-side down on top rack of barbecue.
- Remove patties from barbecue and let rest for 1 to 2 minutes.
- To assemble burgers, place a patty on each bottom bun, add remaining 1 tbsp (15 ml) mayonnaise and drizzle with more remaining barbecue sauce mixture. Divide cabbage slaw evenly between burgers and top with hickory sticks and bun tops.
Drink Pairings
Hot Chicken Burger
Sultry summer weather is also a great time for spice. There will, however, come a point on the spice spectrum when the only viable beer option is a crisp lager. It takes bottom fermentation and lagering to tame the fiery spice of a hot chicken burger, and it’s a technical beer-making process taken to delicious results with Steamworks Brewing Co.’s Pilsner. Incorporating classic pilsner malts and German hops, this beer is clean, lip-smacking and very food-friendly.Ingredients
Serves 4
½ cup (125 ml) buttermilk
1 tsp (5 ml) seasoning salt
1 tsp (5 ml) garlic powder
1 tsp (5 ml) onion powder
1 pinch pepper
1 cup (250 ml) hot wing hot sauce, divided
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, tenders removed and kept for another use
2 tbsp (30 ml) vegetable oil
¼ cup (60 ml) melted butter
¼ cup (60 ml) crumbled blue cheese
¼ cup (60 ml) mayonnaise
¼ cup (60 ml) sour cream
2 tsp (10 ml) chopped chives
4 celery stalks with leaves
16 slices bread and butter pickles
sliced banana peppers, to taste
4 leaves iceberg lettuce
4 pretzel buns, halved
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix buttermilk, seasoning salt, garlic and onion powder, pepper and ¼ cup (60 ml) hot wing sauce. Add chicken breasts and mix to coat. Cover and marinate in refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or overnight.
- Preheat barbecue to medium-high and grease grills with vegetable oil. Remove chicken from refrigerator, wipe off excess marinade and set aside. Mix remaining æ cup (175 ml) hot sauce and melted butter.
- To make blue cheese sauce, in a small bowl, mix blue cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream and chives. Set aside.
- Grill chicken on barbecue for 8 to 12 minutes, or until juices run clear, turning and basting constantly with hot sauce butter mix.
- While chicken is cooking, grill buns cut-side down on barbecue until heated through and golden brown, about 1 to 2 minutes. Remove leaves from celery stalks and set aside. Cut stalks into sticks.
- Remove chicken and buns from barbecue once done. To assemble burgers, spread each side of buns with blue cheese sauce. Place a chicken breast on each bottom bun, top with bread and butter pickles, banana peppers, lettuce, celery leaves and top of each bun. Serve with celery sticks and remaining blue cheese sauce for dipping celery.
Drink Pairings
GRILLED BROCCOLI CAESAR SALAD
Ingredients
Serves 6
½ cup (125 ml) plain Greek yogurt
⅓cup (75 ml) grated Parmesan, plus extra for serving
1 tsp (5 ml) Worcestershire sauce
½ tsp (2.5 ml) anchovy paste
1 tsp (5 ml) Dijon mustard
1 tbsp (15 ml) fresh lemon juice
1 garlic clove, minced
kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
3 medium broccoli crowns, separated into large florets
¼ cup (60 ml) extra-virgin olive oil, divided
3 slices sourdough bread, each about 1-in (2.5 cm) thick
4 cups (1 L) mixed hearty greens
Instructions
- Preheat grill to medium-high. You may also place a vegetable basket over grill to preheat if you have one.
- To make dressing, in a medium bowl, whisk together yogurt, Parmesan, Worcestershire sauce, anchovy paste, mustard, lemon juice and garlic until thoroughly combined. Season to taste with salt and pepper, then set aside. If dressing is very thick, add water 1 tbsp (15 ml) at a time until desired consistency is reached.
- In a large bowl, add broccoli florets and drizzle with 2 tbsp (30 ml) oil. Toss to coat. Brush both sides of sourdough bread slices with remaining 2 tbsp (30 ml) oil. Cook bread on grill, turning a couple of times, until grill marks appear on both sides, about 3 minutes total. Set aside on a wire rack to cool. Cook broccoli on grill, turning occasionally, until tender and lightly charred, about 5 to 7 minutes total. Transfer to a plate.
- To serve, arrange greens on a serving platter and top with grilled broccoli. Drizzle with dressing and garnish with torn pieces of grilled sourdough bread and some extra shavings of Parmesan, if desired.
Drink Pairings
KIMCHI POTATO SALAD
Ingredients
Serves 6
¼ cup (60 ml) dark brown sugar
¼ cup (60 ml) fresh lime juice
¼ cup (60 ml) fish sauce
¼ cup (60 ml) water
¼ cup (60 ml) dry white wine
1 garlic clove, minced
2 red Thai chilies, minced, with or without seeds
1 ½ cups (375 ml) kimchi, homemade or store-bought, divided
1½ lbs (750 g) sweet potato scrubbed, cut into ¾-in (2 cm) chunks
1½ lbs (750 g) small new potatoes, halved
1½ cups (375 ml) celery chopped crosswise into ¼-in (0.5 cm) crescents
½ cup (125 ml) diced red onion
½ cup (125 ml) chopped fresh cilantro leaves and tender stems
Instructions
- To make dressing, in a blender, mix brown sugar, lime juice, fish sauce, ¼ cup (60 ml) water, wine, garlic and chilies until sugar has dissolved. Add ½ cup (125 ml) kimchi and blend until well combined and smooth. Transfer to a large bowl. Roughly chop remaining 1 cup (250 ml) kimchi and stir into dressing. Set aside.
- To prepare potatoes, set a steamer basket over a large saucepan filled with just enough water to touch bottom of basket. Add potatoes, cover and bring to a hard simmer over medium-high heat. Cook until potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork, about 15 to 20 minutes. Transfer potatoes in a single layer to a baking tray and let cool for at least 5 minutes. Alternatively, if you don’t have a steamer basket, place potatoes in a large saucepan, add cold water to cover and bring to a boil over high heat. Cook until tender when pierced with a fork, about 20 to 30 minutes. Drain and transfer in a single layer to a baking tray and let cool for at least 5 minutes.
- To large bowl with dressing add celery, onion, cilantro and mix well. Add potatoes and gently fold into dressing to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or until you are ready to enjoy. Potato salad will keep refrigerated for up to 3 days.
Drink Pairings
LAMB CHOPS WITH PICKLED WATERMELON SALAD
Ingredients
Serves 6-8
LAMB CHOPS
½ cup (125 ml) light brown sugar
½ cup (125 ml) water
½ cup (125 ml) low sodium soy sauce
¼ cup (60 ml) unseasoned rice vinegar
3 green onions, trimmed and thinly sliced
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 tbsp (30 ml) grated ginger
¼ cup (60 ml) packed cilantro leaves and tender stems
1 tbsp (15 ml) sambal oelek
1 tbsp (15 ml) sesame oil
1 tsp (5 ml) freshly ground black pepper, plus extra to taste
2 racks of lamb, frenched, about 2 lbs (1 kg) total
¼ cup (60 ml) Dijon mustard
PICKLED WATERMELON
1/3 cup (75 ml) white wine vinegar
½ tsp (2.5 ml) ground coriander
2 tbsp (30 ml) fresh lime juice
1 small shallot, finely chopped
1 tsp (5 ml) clover honey
¼ cup (60 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
¼ cup (60 ml) grapeseed oil
kosher salt, to taste
3 lbs (1.5 kg) chopped into triangles, peeled, seedless watermelon
4 cups (1 L) yellow cherry tomatoes, halved
2 cups (500 ml) packed baby greens of choice (arugula, spinach or kale are all good options)
Instructions
- Start recipe a day ahead by marinating lamb. To make marinade, in a small saucepan stir together brown sugar and ½ cup (125 ml) water over medium-high heat until sugar has melted and mixture is at a strong simmer, about 4 minutes. Lower heat to medium and let mixture simmer until reduced to ¼ cup (60 ml). Remove saucepan from heat and whisk in soy sauce, rice vinegar, green onions, garlic, ginger, cilantro, sambal oelek, sesame oil and pepper. Set aside to cool to room temperature.
- Once marinade has cooled, transfer to a large, resealable plastic bag. Brush lamb racks generously with mustard and add to marinade in bag. Place bag in a baking dish and refrigerate, turning occasionally, for at least 6 hours and up to 24 hours.
- On the day you are ready to serve lamb, make Pickled Watermelon. In a medium bowl, whisk together vinegar, coriander, lime juice, shallot, honey and oils until well combined. Season vinaigrette to taste with salt and pepper.
- Place watermelon in a large, non-reactive bowl and add ½ cup (125 ml) vinaigrette and gently toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate, stirring occasionally, for 1 hour to lightly pickle watermelon.
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
- Transfer lamb from bag, leaving some marinade clinging to surface, onto a cutting board. Cut racks into two-bone sections and set aside. Pour marinade from bag into a small saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium and let simmer for 3 minutes. Remove warm marinade from heat and set aside.
- Grill lamb chops until grill marked, about 2 minutes per side. Using a brush, baste each meaty end of chop generously with reserved and warmed marinade. Return chops to grill and cook, turning once, until cooked to desired doneness, about another 2 to 4 minutes per side. Transfer to a platter.
- Add tomatoes and baby greens to bowl of watermelon. Gently toss together and add 1 to 2 tbsp (15 to 30 ml) of vinaigrette, if needed. Season to taste with salt.
- To serve, place two thirds of watermelon salad on a large platter, top with lamb and then with rest of watermelon salad. Serve any remaining vinaigrette alongside.
Drink Pairings
PIMM’S-GLAZED CHICKEN WITH STRAWBERRY CUCUMBER SALSA
Ingredients
Serves 4
8 bone-in chicken thighs
3 tbsp + ½ cup (170 ml) Pimm’s No. 1 Cup, divided
tbsp (15 ml) tamari
1 garlic clove, minced
2 tsp (10 ml) grated ginge
tsp + 1 tbsp (25 ml) clover honey, divided
tsp (10 ml) white miso paste, divided
2 tbsp (30 ml) orange marmalade
1 tbsp (15 ml) apple cider vinegar
1½ cups (375 ml) sliced strawberries
½ English cucumber, diced
½ small red onion, finely diced
¼ cup (60 ml) packed fresh basil leaves, torn
¼ cup (60 ml) packed fresh mint leaves, torn
tbsp (30 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
2 tsp (10 ml) each fresh lemon, lime and orange juice
Instructions
- To marinate chicken, in a large, non-reactive bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp (30 ml) Pimm’s, tamari, garlic, ginger, 1 tsp (5 ml) honey and 1 tsp (5 ml) miso until well-combined. Add chicken and toss well in marinade. Cover and refrigerate, letting chicken marinate at least 2 hours and up to 24 hours.
- While chicken is marinating, make glaze. In a small saucepan, stir together ½ cup (125 ml) Pimm’s, 1 tbsp (15 ml) honey and 1 tsp (5 ml) miso along with marmalade and vinegar. Place over medium heat and bring to a hard simmer while stirring constantly. Let mixture simmer, stirring often, until thickened and syrupy, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside to cool to room temperature. Glaze can be made up to 1 week ahead and stored in an airtight container in refrigerator.
- When ready to cook chicken, preheat grill to medium-high heat. While grill heats up, remove chicken from refrigerator and allow to sit in marinade at room temperature for 30 minutes.
- Remove chicken thighs 1 at a time from marinade and pat each dry with paper towel. Transfer chicken to grill and cook with lid closed, turning and basting with the glaze every 3 to 5 minutes until golden brown, grill marked and cooked through, about 20 to 25 minutes total. Transfer chicken to a platter and set aside to rest while preparing strawberry cucumber salsa.
- To make a chunky strawberry cucumber salsa, in a large bowl, gently toss together strawberries, cucumber, red onion, basil leaves, mint leaves, olive oil, citrus juices, remaining 1 tbsp (15 ml) Pimm’s and 1 tsp (5 ml) honey. Set aside to marinate together for 10 minutes.
- To serve, drizzle chicken with any remaining glaze and serve alongside strawberry cucumber salsa.
Drink Pairings
Bourbon Molasses Pork Ribs
Ingredients
Serves 4
1 tbsp (15 ml) barbecue dry rub mix
2 tbsp (30 ml) brown sugar, divided
2 tsp (10 ml) kosher salt
¼ tsp (1 ml) freshly ground black pepper
1 pinch cayenne pepper
2 racks baby back ribs, silver skin removed
1 cup (250 ml) barbecue sauce
3 tbsp (45 ml) bourbon
2 tbsp (30 ml) molasses
2 tbsp (30 ml) apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp (15 ml) ketchup
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300 F (150 C).
- In a small bowl, mix barbecue dry rub, 1 tbsp (15 ml) brown sugar, salt, black pepper and cayenne. Sprinkle rub evenly over both sides of ribs then wrap well in heavy duty foil, place on a baking tray and bake in oven until fork-tender, 3½ to 4 hours. This can be done up to 2 days ahead of serving. (If serving later, let cool completely and store in refrigerator.)
- Meanwhile, place remaining ingredients (including remaining 1 tbsp (15 ml) sugar) in a small saucepan and cook over medium heat until reduced by half, about 10 to 15 minutes. Set aside. (Or refrigerate if not using within one hour.)
- Preheat barbecue to medium, then cook ribs, turning constantly and brushing with barbecue sauce, until hot and glazed well with sauce. Serve with your favourite sides.
Drink Pairings
MEZCAL PRAWN TACOS
Ingredients
Serves 4
1 small white onion
3 tbsp (45 ml) white wine vinegar
3 tbsp (45 ml) water
2 tbsp (30 ml) granulated sugar
1 tsp (5 ml) salt, plus extra to taste
36 peeled and deveined prawns, dried well with a paper towel
2 tbsp (30 ml) mezcal (or use reposado tequila)
1 tsp (5 ml) cumin
1 tsp (5 ml) honey
½ cup (125 ml) crema (or sour cream)
1 tbsp (15 ml) chilies in adobo, chopped
1 tbsp (15 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
3 limes, divided
1 avocado, peeled, pitted and cut into 1-in (2.5 cm) chunks
1 handful cilantro leaves
¼ small red cabbage, thinly shaved
1 jalapeño or serrano chili, thinly sliced
12 corn tortillas, warmed according to package instructions
Instructions
- To make pickled onions, thinly slice half the onion, chop remaining onion and set aside for later. In a jar, mix vinegar, water, sugar and salt until sugar and salt have dissolved. Add sliced onions to liquid and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or up to 5 days.
- To make mezcal prawns, in a medium bowl, mix prawns, mezcal, cumin, honey and salt to taste. Let marinate in refrigerator for 10 to 15 minutes.
- In a small bowl, mix crema and chilies. Season to taste with salt and pepper and set aside.
- Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat. Add ½ tbsp (7.5 ml) olive oil and half the prawns and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, or until opaque all the way through, flipping halfway through cooking. Transfer to a platter. Cook remaining prawns, then toss with juice of 1 lime. Quarter remaining limes.
- To assemble tacos, place 3 prawns per tortilla, top with prepared toppings: avocado, cilantro, cabbage, jalapeños, crema mixture and pickled onions.
Drink Pairings
GIN-CURED SALMON SKEWERS SERVED WITH BOILED POTATOES, CUCUMBER SALAD AND DILL SAUCE
Ingredients
Serves 4
24 oz (680 g) wild salmon
1 tbsp (15 ml) kosher salt, plus extra to cook potatoes
1 tbsp (15 ml) gin
4 sprigs fresh dill, divided
1 tbsp (15 ml) granulated sugar
1 pinch caraway seeds
1 tbsp (15 ml) + 2 tsp (10 ml) extra-virgin olive oil, divided 8 wooden skewers
8 small yellow potatoes, peeled and halved
1 tbsp (15 ml) salted butter
¾ cup (175 ml) sour cream
1 tbsp (15 ml) minced red onion
4 baby cucumbers
2 tsp (10 ml) white wine vinegar
1 lemon, zest and juice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300 F (150 C). Cut salmon into 12 even cubes and toss together with 1 tbsp (15 ml) salt, gin, 1 sprig dill, sugar and caraway seeds. Place in container with a lid and refrigerate for 15 minutes, to cure. Remove from refrigerator, rinse well and dry thoroughly with a paper towel. Toss with 1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil, then skewer 3 pieces of salmon per skewer.
- Cook potatoes in simmering salted water just until tender, about 10 to 15 minutes, depending on size of potatoes. Drain and toss with butter.
- Place salmon skewers on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake until salmon is cooked through and flakes easily, about 10 to 12 minutes.
- While potatoes and salmon are cooking, the make dill sauce. To make sauce, chop remaining dill leaves and combine in a small bowl with sour cream, red onion and salt and pepper to taste. Set aside.
- Slice cucumbers on the bias and toss with remaining olive oil, vinegar and salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve 2 salmon skewers per person along with cucumber salad, potatoes and dill sauce. Garnish cucumbers with remaining dill.