Teriyaki Sliders

December 21: National Hamburger Day

‘Tis the season for…tailgating? In Hawaii, where the “winter” weather is warm, football fans gather for game day grilling between late December until January. Before statehood in 1959, locals and tourists would tailgate at the old Honolulu Stadium or War Memorial Stadium and now at the Aloha Stadium.

Football games were played at the Poi Bowl (1936-1939), Pineapple Bowl (1940-1952), Hula Bowl (1947-2008), Aloha Bowl (1982-2000), Oahu Bowl (1998-2008) and Hawaii Bowl (2002-current). The Pro Bowl took place in Hawaii (1980-2009) but was played in Florida for the first time in 2010. In 2011, the Pro Bowl returned to Hawaii and people want it to stay at the Aloha Stadium (it is scheduled for 2012).

We know some of our friends back in Hawaii who like to grill teriyaki burgers when tailgating at the Pro Bowl. Highlander just watches the game on television on the mainland. But we still make festive football food at home, such as mini hamburgers with a sweet soy sauce. Teriyaki sliders are terrific for tailgating, super when watching bowl games and perfect for observing National Hamburger Day!

Recipe

(Adapted from Flavors of Paradise Cookbook by the Pearl City Community Church)

For the teriyaki sliders

• ½ pound ground beef
• ¼ cup onions, chopped
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup bread crumbs
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon ketchup
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce (we used Aloha Shoyu brand)
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 half-inch piece ginger, grated
• mini burger buns (we used King’s brand Hawaiian sweet rolls)

Directions

In a large mixing bowl, crumble the ground beef with the onions. Season with the salt. Mix in the bread crumbs. Bind with the egg. Add the ketchup.

Mix in the soy sauce, sugar and garlic. Grate the ginger and add it to the ground beef. Shape into small patties. Grill or fry until cooked through. Yield: 8 patties per half pound of ground beef.

For the teriyaki sauce

• 1/3 cup honey (we used Big Island Bees brand macadamia nut blossom flavor)
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon sherry
• 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger

Directions

In a small saucepan, combine the honey, soy sauce and sherry. Season with garlic powder and ground ginger. Boil until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature.

Assemble the teriyaki sliders. Slice the buns/rolls in half. Place a patty on the bottom half of the bun/roll. Pour a little teriyaki sauce on top. Cover with the other half of the bun/roll. Serve immediately.

Notes

• For tailgating, prepare the patties ahead of time and keep in a cooler between sheets of wax paper. Slice the buns and keep in its bag. Make the teriyaki sauce and put into a squeeze bottle for easy pouring. Grill the burgers and assemble on site.
• Teriyaki sliders may be made without the sauce. Garnish the patties with lettuce, tomatoes, onions and other condiments of choice.
• Supersize the petite patties and make them bigger to fit regular hamburger buns instead of rolls.
• Mahalo (thanks) to Mary Ann B. for the cookbook featuring the recipe for teriyaki burgers which we adapted into sliders.