Portuguese Pineapple Picando Burger

by Susan Mello
Makes 4 burgers

Picando means spicy or prickly, and this burger with a bite is by cook-opera singer-and-musical performer Susan Mello. In 2003 it took top honors in Sutter Home’s Build a Better Burger Contest. Although not a Portuguese classic, this burger nonetheless combines popular Portuguese flavors for a new twist.

Note: if you can’t find Portuguese sweet rolls, any eggy, sweet roll or bread, such challah, will work fine.—Susan Mello

convert Ingredients
For the orange-garlic aioli
1/3 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoon fresh orange juice
Pinch of orange zest
1 tablespoon minced garlic

For the burger
1/2 pound ground Portuguese chouriço or linguiça, or hter dry-cured spicy sausage
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons Sutter Home Zinfandel
2 tablespoons tomato sauce
1 1/2 pound ground sirloin
Vegetable oil for brushing grill rack
4 Portuguese sweet rolls, toasted
1 cup cilantro leaves
4 sliced rings of fresh pineapple

Directions
Make the orange-garlic aïoli
1. In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, orange juice, zest, and garlic. Chill until ready.

Make the burgers
1. Prepare a gas or charcoal grill for moderate direct heat cooking. In a small frying pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat and sautÌ the ground chouriço or linguiça until lightly browned. Add the wine and tomato sauce, remove from the heat and let cool.

2. In a large bowl, combine the cooled chouriåo and the ground sirloin; form into 4 patties.

3. When the fire is ready, brush the grill rack with oil. Grill the patties until desired doneness, turning once; 4 to 5 minutes per side for medium-rare; 6 to 8 minutes per side for medium. During the last few minutes of cooking, place the rolls cut side down, on the outer edges of the grill until lightly toasted.

4. Spread the orange aioli on the rolls. Cover each roll bottom with a bed of cilantro leaves, then top with a burger and a pineapple ring. Serve immediately.

Recipe © 2003 Susan Mello. All rights reserved.