Elk Miso Burgers

I don't normally eat or create recipes with Elk but my parents push it on me, so I decided to make them dinner and be creative with what they had.  Elk is pretty good, and very lean I just really prefer beef, and I don't chose to eat meats in ground form often either.  I also am not a huge fan of burgers but I will say these turned out very well.  I adapted this recipe from Kokocooks in an attempt to try something new, I also don't normally love the sweet and savory but once again this was a great way to use up a lot of awkward food items in the house.

Serves 6

The Ingredients
For Burgers:
2lbs ground elk
1/2 cup yellow onion, finely chopped
1 tablespoon minced ginger (from jar)
1 tablespoon red miso paste
3 green onions, chopped
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon sesame oil
olive oil (for pan)
6 burger buns

For Glaze:
1/2 tablespoon red miso paste
1 tablespoon maple syrup
1 tablespoon agave nectar
1 teaspoon soy sauce

For Salsa:
1/2 cucumber peeled and cut into thin and small slices
1 mango, stone removed and cut into thin and small slices
1 teaspoon sugar
2 tablespoons lime juice
1/4 tablespoon dried chili flakes
pinch of salt


The Process
1.  In a skillet, over medium-high heat add a little olive oil and when hot add yellow onion and ginger.  Cook for about 5 minutes or until onions are soft.

2.  In large bowl combine burger ingredients which is elk, miso, green onions, soy sauce, sesame oil, and the cooked onion and ginger combination.  Mix well and form 6 patties with this mixture.

3.  Next in a small bowl mix together the glaze ingredients and set aside.

4.  Then onto the salsa, in medium bowl mix together all of the salsa ingredients and set aside.

5.  Grill burgers for about 5 minutes each side with the gas grill at MOM, which is medium off medium (these are the three nobs on the grill) or grill them however you like to grill your burgers.

6.  To assemble put burger on bun, then add glaze over burger, then salsa and eat!