Savory Pork Burgers with Apple Cabbage Slaw

The sweet and tangy apple cabbage slaw perfectly complements the savory rosemary and fennel in these smoky pork burgers.

(serves 4)

Ingredients

For the burgers:

• 1 ½ lbs. ground pork
• 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
• 1 spring onion (green part only), very thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon fennel seeds
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon salt
• Ground black pepper, to taste
• Gourmet burger buns or Kaiser buns

For the apple cabbage slaw:

• 4 cups thinly shredded green cabbage
• A medium-sized apple, diced
• Half a medium onion, diced
• 1 stalk of celery, finely chopped
• 2 sprigs of fresh parsley, finely chopped
• 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon whole-grain mustard
• 2-3 teaspoons of sugar, to taste
• ½ teaspoon salt
• Ground black pepper, to taste

Directions

1. Build a medium-hot temperature fire in a charcoal grill or heat a gas grill to medium-high. Brush grill grate with olive oil.
2. While grill heats, lightly toast the fennel seeds in a small skillet with no oil until the seeds are aromatic. Remove from pan and set aside.
3. In a large bowl, combine ground pork, minced garlic, spring onions, chopped rosemary, toasted fennel seeds, salt, paprika, and black pepper. Mix well to combine. Gently shape into 4 patties.
4. Place patties on the grill and cook for approximately 3 minutes on each side on the hottest part of the grill, then move to the cooler side of the grill for another 3-5 minutes.  The internal temperature of the burgers should read 160 degrees. Remove and allow to rest under foil for 3-5 minutes before serving.
5. While patties are cooking, make your slaw. In a small bowl, thoroughly mix apple cider vinegar, mustard, olive oil, sugar, salt, and pepper. Set aside. In a separate large bowl, combine cabbage, apple, onion, celery, and parsley. Toss well. Pour vinegar and olive oil mixture over your slaw and stir to coat evenly. Set aside and let sit for at least 10 minutes before serving.
6. Serve burgers on a lightly toasted gourmet bun or Kaiser bun with a large helping of apple cabbage slaw.