Watermelon Shrimp Burger

Pairs well with:

Sauvignon Blanc

With hints of passion fruit, melon, and citrus, this wine beckons you to kick back and find a perfect porch swing.

Ingredients

1/2 Seedless Watermelon – Pick a good one.
Salt
1/2 cup fresh lime juice
1/2 cup honey
1 1/2 pound raw, cleaned shrimp.
2 jalapeno peppers
1 egg
1/2 cup plain breadcrumbs
 2 1/2 teaspoons Paul Prudhomme's seafood magic seasoning. (old bay works OK as well but I prefer Chef Paul's)
Small bunch of mint leaves
Boston Lettuce
4 Tablespoons of butter, melted.
6 potato rolls – Split with a fork

 

Instructions

Prep: 1. Slice the watermelon so that each burger has a 3/4 inch thick slice of watermelon the size of the bun. Don't skimp on the melon. Salt the melon to taste. Set aside. 2. Combine the lime juice and honey in a sauce pan. Bring to a light boil and reduce for 4 minutes. Put in a squeeze bottle if you have one. 3. Put 1/2 pound of the the shrimp in a food processor and pulse until finely chopped. 4. Remove the seeds and membranes from the Jalapenos. Finely dice these into pieces no more than 1/4 inch. 5. Add jalapeno, egg, and breadcrumbs, seasoning to food processor. Pulse only enough to combine. 6. Add remaining shrimp to food processor. Pulse only enough to rough chop the shrimp. 7. Remove the shrimp mixture from processor and form into 6 patties. 8. Put patties in the freezer for 45 minutes to an hour to firm them up. This allows them to be grilled without falling apart. 9. Chiffonade the mint leaves and mix with the torn lettuce. Salt and pepper the greens to taste. Grilling: 1. Get your grill medium hot. Clean the grates. 2. Fork-split your buns. Do not slice them, they will need the rough, toasted texture to hold the watermelon slice in place. Butter them up nicely. 3. Place the buns on the grill and toast them. Set aside in a warm place. 4. Brush the grates with butter and place patties on the grill. 5. Brush butter on the tops of the patties and after they have grilled for only 30-45 seconds turn them. This allows you to firm up both sides of the shrimp burgers before they thaw and fall through the grates. 6. Cook this side for 2 minutes and then turn for another minute and a half. Assembly: Place a shrimp burger on the bun, then a watermelon slice on top. Drizzle liberally with the lime/honey mixture. Add the greens mixture on top. Enjoy.