Cornbread burger with porcino

The Cornbread Burger with porcino is a delicious interpretation that melds the ambiance of American barbecue with a touch of Italian sophistication, thanks to the use of the prized porcino mushroom. Here’s the recipe to prepare this delightful burger:

Ingredients

For the Cornbread:

• 200 g of cornmeal
• 100 g of all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons of baking powder for savory cakes
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 60 g of sugar
• 240 ml of milk
• 2 eggs
• 60 g of melted butter

For the burgers:

• 4 beef patties (about 150 g each)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Extra virgin olive oil for cooking

For the dressing:

• 200 g of fresh porcini or rehydrated if dry
• 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
• 1 clove of garlic
• Chopped parsley to taste
• Salt and pepper to taste

To serve:

• Green leaf salad (as desired)
• Slices of cheese of choice (cheddar, fontina…)

Preparation

Cornbread:

1. Preheat the oven to 200 °C.
2. In a bowl, combine cornmeal, all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.
3. In another bowl, mix the milk with the eggs and sugar.
4. Combine the liquid ingredients with the dry ones, and blend well.
5. Add the melted butter and mix until smooth.
6. Pour the batter into a greased and floured square or rectangular mold.
7. Bake in the oven for about 20-25 minutes or until a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean.
8. Let cool and cut into slices to form the base and the ‘lid’ of the burger.

Burgers:

1. Heat a griddle or frying pan and cook the beef patties seasoned with salt and pepper to your preferred doneness.
2. Halfway through cooking, add a slice of cheese on top of each burger to melt.

Porcini dressing:

1. Clean the porcini with a damp cloth and slice them.
2. In a frying pan, heat the oil with a clove of garlic.
3. Add the porcini, salt and pepper, and cook until they turn golden.
4. Remove the garlic and add the chopped parsley at the end of cooking.

Assembling the Cornbread Burger:

1. Take a slice of cornbread, lay some salad on it, then the burger with the melted cheese.
2. Add the sautéed porcini and cover with another slice of cornbread.

Trivia

Cornbread, typical of the Southern United States, is often served as a side dish to meat-based dishes or chili. As a variation, you can add jalapeño pieces or sweet corn to the corn mix for an even richer and varied flavor.

With this recipe, the burger takes on a unique taste, thanks to the rustic flavor of the cornbread and the elegance of the porcini that bring a woodland and terroir note to the dish. Bon appétit!