Korean Barbecue Burgers

These were good. We skipped the radishes, and put wasabi horseradish (redundant term) on them. Very good sober. Really good drunk!

Korean Barbecue Burgers

These burgers are based on bulgogi, a traditional Korean barbecue specialty of marinated sirloin. If you prefer more authentic flavor, just top with a splash of rice vinegar and kimchi, the spicy-hot pickled vegetable condiment available at Asian markets. Serve with rice crackers.

1/2 cup chopped green onions
1 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons minced peeled fresh ginger
3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
1 tablespoon dark sesame oil
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 1/2 pounds ground sirloin
Cooking spray
6 (1 1/2-ounce) whole wheat hamburger buns, split
6 red leaf lettuce leaves
6 tablespoons thinly sliced radishes

Prepare grill.

Combine first 8 ingredients. Divide the mixture into 6 equal portions, shaping each into a 1/2-inch-thick patty.

Place patties on a grill rack coated with cooking spray; grill 6 minutes on each side or until a thermometer registers 160°. Remove from grill; let patties stand 5 minutes.

Place buns, cut sides down, on grill rack; grill 1 minute or until toasted. Place 1 patty on bottom half of each bun; top each serving with 1 lettuce leaf, 1 tablespoon radishes, and top half of bun.

Beer note: With their gingery Asian spice, these burgers call for a classic brown ale like Samuel Smith Nut Brown Ale ($10 for four 12-ounce bottles). With a moderate five percent alcohol and a nicely rounded taste, this beer's toasted nut flavor complements the burgers' nutty sesame oil essence. Darker beers are also a great match with the crisp snap of radishes. --Jeffery Lindenmuth

Yield: 6 servings (serving size: 1 burger)

CALORIES 343 (38% from fat); FAT 14.4g (sat 4.7g,mono 5.7g,poly 2.3g); IRON 3.8mg; CHOLESTEROL 72mg; CALCIUM 72mg; CARBOHYDRATE 27.4g; SODIUM 534mg; PROTEIN 26.7g; FIBER 3.7g

Cooking Light, AUGUST 2007