Malta Marinated Beef Burger topped with Fried Plantains | Culture Kitchen

Instructions

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs. ground beef
• 1 cup Malta (a type of non-alcoholic, carbonated malt beverage very common in the islands)
• 2 mostly ripe plantains, sliced into rounds
• 6 shallots, thinly sliced
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp cayenne pepper
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Vegetable oil for frying
• 6 quality burger buns (like brioche or potato rolls)
• Lettuce, tomato slices, and any other desired toppings
• Mayonnaise or your preferred burger sauce (in Cuba, we’d use mayo)

Method:

1. Season the beef with salt and pepper, with smoked paprika, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and marinate the beef patties in Malta for at least 2 hours or overnight in the refrigerator to infuse them with a sweet and malted flavor, then form into 6 patties.
2. Prepare the crispy shallots by heating vegetable oil in a pan. Mix flour and a pinch of salt. Dredge the shallot slices in the seasoned flour and fry until golden brown. Set aside on paper towels to drain.
3. Twice fry the plantain slices in the same oil until they are golden and caramelized on both sides. Remove and smash using a plantain masher or anything else that will flatten the plantain into a 2” round patty (you want it to be smaller than the beef patty). Remove and place on paper towels to remove excess oil.
4. Grill or cook the marinated beef patties to your preferred doneness.
5. Toast the burger buns lightly on the grill or in a pan.
6. Assemble the burgers by spreading mayonnaise or your preferred sauce on the buns, then layering lettuce, tomato, the beef patty, fried plantains, and crispy shallots.
7. Serve immediately with a side of your choice. Serve with shoestring fries or sweet potato fries with dried herbs.