August 4, 2017
Monthly Mystery Munchies #28: Baked Turkey Teriyaki Ramen Burger
“It’s an easy one this month, but I think it’s fun too, or maybe too boring?”
So Gen says when she came up with this month’s challenge:Burgers.
Easy? Yes!
Fun? Absolutely!
Boring? Ah…never!
Not when she specifically said, “not just some minced slapped together with a slice of tomato and a lettuce leaf.” In fact, Gen was quite specific about the burger having to be fun and interesting. That was enough to set my mind to work. So I googled.
With “fancy burgers” being my main keywords, I was greeted by images like this:
Like how most, if not all burgers are made, messy with the slabs of meat, hedonistically (I’m not sure it’s a word. But you know what I mean) stuffed-up and sauced-in is the classic signature look. I toyed with the idea of no-bun burger and that was immediately killed because, according to Silver Bullet a burger is not a burger without the buns.
I beg to differ.
Why you asked? Even if you didn’t ask, l’ll tell you why: Buns can always be substituted with something else. Like rice burger or lettuced-wrapped burger or whatever you fancy. With that in mind, I decided to make mine using ramen for the fun of it.
Because. Ramen.
The meat? I thought since we are onto ramen, I’ll couple it with teriyaki turkey. Not just flattened minced meat, but using a chunk of breast meat. Baked in home-made teriyaki sauce. It’s healthier that way .
I know, I know; I’m a hypocrite. Ramen is baaaad. Period. It’s processed so thereby, it’s bad and it will sit in your stomach for ages before being digested. In my defense, we only ever eat ramen every once in a while, so I’m declaring that it is OK.
Plus, it really isn’t that bad. All its flavours just fused together…caramelised onions, teriyaki turkey doused in leftover teriyaki sauce and all the veggies in between. You will do no wrong.
So. Easy, fun and interesting this shall be. Here we go!
- 4-8 pieces of fresh turkey breasts
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tbsp cold water
- Half cup white sugar
- Half cup soy sauce
- Half cup light soy sauce
- Half cup rice vinegar
- Half an inch fresh ginger, pounded
- 1 clove garlic minced
- salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 tspn sesame oil (optional)
- 2 packs cooked ramen noodles (no seasoning)
- 2 medium-sized eggs
- Salt & Pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp canola oil
- Fresh onion ringlets (caramelised)
- Sliced tomatoes
- Lettuce
- Mayonaise
- Lettuce
- Chilli Sauce/Sri Racha Hot Sauce (optional)
- Turkey Bacon
- Cook noodles per instructions. Drain and rinse in cold water. Drain again and set aside
- In a separate bowl, crack the eggs. Season with salt and pepper. Beat well
- Mix beaten eggs with the noodles. Then portion the noodles into ramekins.
- Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes
- Pre-heat oven to 220 degrees.
- In a small saucepan, combine all the ingredients for the teriyaki sauce (except the meat) and simmer. Stir frequently till sauce thickens.
- Place turkey meat in a greased aluminium foil and brush the sauce all over the turkey
- Loosely crimp the foil and bake for about 30 minutes.
- Open up and brush again with the sauce every 10 minutes during cooking until the juices run slightly clear. When no longer runny, set aside
- When ready to assemble the burger, dip the meat into the remaining teriyaki sauce.
- Caramelised onion ringlets with 1 tspn of brown sugar and 1 tbsp of hot oil. Set aside
- Fry up turkey bacon. Set aside.
- Heat some oil. Remove the noodles from the ramekins and brown each side.
- Transfer to a flat tray. Set aside
- Ramen bun, lettuce, 1 piece of teriyaki turkey, caramelised onions, tomato, turkey bacon, mayonnaise, chilli sauce, lettuce, Ramen burger bun.
- Stick a piece of toothpick right into the burger to keep it together,
- It's a burger! Fill it up to your hearts'content and feel free to substitute the turkey with chicken. Dousing the baked meat with more teriyaki sauce is optional, though it makes the remen burger taste better. Best use thigh meat for its juiciness rather than breast meat.
And you know what? There really is no better way to soak up all that burger by hopping over to our Recipe-Goddess Gen in South Africa with her take on easy, fun and interesting burger recipe.
Update: I found out today after this post went up that my dearest friend, Gen has had an unfortunate mishap and has been in recovery. So no South African burger till she gets better and she definitely will! Do visit her (site) nevertheless! Here’s wishing you a speedy recovery, Gen! X.
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Monthly Mystery Munchies features every first Friday of the month in collaboration with Gen, Author of Eat, Play, Clove. Stay tuned with next month’s edition from the Grubbs ‘n Critters’ Kitchen!
A fabulous recipe for baked turkey burgers, Ann. Have a great weekend.
Thank you Robbie! Baked are best! To a wonderful week to you too! 🙂
This is ridiculous! How on Earth did you come up with such an inspired recipe?! Oh man, I love the teriyaki, the ramen… you continuously amaze me! Well done, I am drooling and having major burger FOMO.
P.S. I agree with Silver Bullet – but I love your take on the bun.
oh you know…pinterest! And google image. LOL. I’m still waiting for YOUR burger. I have you to blame for this…you said “interesting”…
Hope you are feeling/getting better, Gen! Sending you lots of healing! xoxoxoxoox