Hawaiian Burgers

Hawaiian Burgers

Americans will be celebrating Independence Day this Wednesday. This holiday, more commonly called the 4th of July, is an annual celebration of our country's independence from Great Britain who is now one of our greatest allies. A main staple of this celebration includes cookouts with family and friends. Today many people include their dogs in the festivities.

I wanted to come up with some sort of patriotic meal for the Fourth of July that was safe for Kirby so when I came across Hawaiian Burgers I thought they would be a great choice.

Hawaii, our 50th state, is the only state to experience warfare on American soil when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor in 1941. The final count of American soldiers who died while serving our country numbered 1,987.

15 Medals of Honor, 51 Navy Crosses, 53 Silver Stars, four Navy and Marine Corps Medals, one Distinguished Flying Cross, four Distinguished Service Crosses, one Distinguished Service Medal, and three Bronze Star Medals were awarded to the American servicemen who distinguished themselves in combat at Pearl Harbor. Additionally, a special military award, the Pearl Harbor Commemorative Medal, was later authorized for all military veterans of the attack. Because of the men and women who make up our military forces, we are able to continue to celebrate our independence.

The original recipe I found has pineapple slices on top of the burger and of course, is served on a bun. I decided to put the pineapple inside the burger. I cut way back on the barbeque sauce and added an egg to help bind the meat. The patty just looked so naked sitting there without a bun so I decided to whip up a quick, healthy sauce with the extra crushed pineapple.

Ingredients

1 pound ground pork
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 cup crushed pineapple, fresh or canned
1 tbsp plain barbecue sauce (no onions)
1 egg

Preparation Instructions:

If using canned pineapple be sure to drain the juice saving some for the sauce.

1. Using your hands mix all of the ingredients together in a bowl until just combined. Don't knead too much or the burgers will be tough.

Three Ways to Cook

Stovetop: Form patties and place in frypan. Cook over medium low heat, flipping halfway through until completely cooked. Remove and let them rest 5 minutes.

Oven: Gently press equal amounts in a muffin tin, with a slight indentation in the middle (the burgers will contract as they cook, the indentation helps keep the burgers from bulging in the middle too much). Bake at 350 degrees for 25 - 30 minutes.

Grill: Form patties separated with wax paper and store them for a few hours in the refridgerator before grilling. This will firm them up. Cover and cook on medium heat for 5-7 minutes. Flip the burgers and cook for another 5 to 7 minutes, until cooked through. Remove and let them rest 5 minutes.