Grand Prize Winner: Island Ahi Burgers With Cilantro-Chile-Lime

Ingredients

Sauce

• 2 anaheim chilies
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 3 tablespoons sour cream
• 3 tablespoons cilantro leaves, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
• 2 teaspoons fresh ginger, minced
• 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Burgers

• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup panko (Japanese bread crumbs)
• 4 teaspoons soy sauce
• 4 teaspoons sugar
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
• 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons fresh lime juice
• 1 teaspoon lime zest, grated
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 lbs ahi tuna fillets, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 4 seeded kaiser rolls, split
• 1 large maui onion, thinly sliced (or other sweet onion)
• 1 large vine-ripened tomato, sliced
• radish or sunflower sprouts (1 pkg.)

Directions

1. 1

   Sauce:

2. 2

   Char peppers over gas flame or under broiler until blistered on all sides. Enclose in a paper bag, and let stand 15 minutes.

3. 3

   Peel peppers, remove stem and seeds, and dice.

4. 4

   Measure 1/4 cup diced peppers into a small bowl, and add mayonnaise, sour cream, cilantro, lime juice, ginger, garlic, and salt. Stir well.

5. 5

   Burgers:

6. 6

   Meanwhile, in large bowl, beat egg and stir in panko, soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, ginger, garlic, lime juice and zest, red pepper flakes, and salt.

7. 7

   Add ahi and combine gently. Form 4 patties.

8. 8

   Heat vegetable oil on non-stick griddle, over med-high heat.

9. 9

   Add patties, and cook 3-4 minutes per side.

10. 10

    Toast rolls under broiler during last few minutes of cooking.

11. 11

    Spread sauce on roll bottom and top with onion, tomato, sprouts, and additional sauce.

12. 12

    Add roll tops.