Saturday, July 26, 2014

Pork Jowl & Kimchi Burger with Pecorino Cheese


Yum yum yum....so summery! I knew absolutely nothing about cooking with pork jowl until very recently when a former roommate moved out and left some in the freezer. Combine that with some kimchi I got for free at work (best job ever) and you get this little guy (okay, maybe not so little). This burger is a real treat.

Recipe serves 2.

For the hamburger:

-1/2 pound ground beef
-1 egg 
-1/2 of a small onion, chopped
-1 clove garlic, chopped
-salt and pepper

Other things you'll need:

-6oz. pork jowl, cut into thick strips
-kimchi, amount to taste
-a few strips pecorino cheese, cut into strips like the pork jowl
-cilantro to taste (totally optional, but it's in the picture).
-2 whole wheat hamburger buns

Cook the pork jowl, preferably in a cast iron skillet until it curls up, is really crispy and cooked all the way through. Meanwhile, make the hamburger patties.

Mix all ingredients except egg in a bowl. Crack the egg into the hamburger and mix gently. Form into patties.

Cook the patties in the skillet, unless of course you have a barbecue. Maybe some day I'll have one. Pecorino is a pretty hard cheese so it's best to put the slices on the patties while they're still cooking, soon before you take them off if you want the cheese to be melty.

I don't think I have to tell you how to make a hamburger. Put the stuff on the bun and eat it. Who's a big boy?!?!