Thai Chicken Burgers with Marinated Cucumber Salad

Another of my absolute faves. Every once in a while I will make a big batch of these burgers, wrap them individually and freeze them for "quick meals". The burgers are also good broken up and spread over top of salad then topped with peanut sauce.

Thai Chicken Burgers:

1 1/2 lb ground chicken
1 tbsp peanut oil
2 tbsp fish sauce
2 cloves garlic, minced fine
1 large shallot (or 2 small), minced
2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
1 tbsp fresh ginger, minced
1 Thai chili, diced or 1 tsp hot chili sauce (or more to suit your spice tastes)
1 tsp salt
1 tbsp sucanat
1/4 cup panko bread crumbs (optional)
Enough Whole Wheat buns to serve your group
Bunch fresh cilantro leaves
sliced red cabbage or pre-packaged coleslaw mix
peanut sauce

1. Mix all patty ingredients (chicken through to bread crumbs) together in a bowl. Use hands to mix well so all seasonings are spread throughout.

2. Form mixture into burger size patties. Mixture will make 6-10 patties, depending on size.

3. Grill burgers over medium-high heat for approximately 5 minutes per side or until cooked through. According to 10 cent's Internal Temperature Chart, the internal temperature of your ground chicken patties should read 160-165 degrees when ready.

4. To assemble, place a patty on each bun. Spread peanut sauce over patty. Top with cabbage (or coleslaw) and fresh cilantro leaves.

Marinated Cucumber Salad:

1/3 cup rice vinegar
1/4 cup water
1 tbsp plus 1 tsp agave syrup
1/4 tsp salt
1 English cucumber, sliced very thin
1/2 red onion, sliced very thin
1/4 Thai red chili pepper (optional)

1. Combine vinegar, water, salt and agave syrup in a small saucepan over medium heat.

2. Cook until boiling then set aside to cool.

3. Place sliced cucumber, onion and chili pepper in a bowl. Pour vinegar over top of vegetables.

4. Refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving.

5. Using a slotted spoon, scoop vegetables onto plate. Top with course fresh ground pepper.

Note: Also pictured is a little dish of Thai Peanuty Coleslaw. No recipe here. I had some pre-packaged broccoli slaw on hand and mixed it together with some peanut sauce, chopped peanuts and diced Thai chilies. Very easy. very delicious.

Variation: Skip the burger and make Thai Chicken Meatballs instead!