Thai Turkey Burgers

Just a quick disclaimer.  I loathe turkey burger.  It's more or less bland and lacks personality.  However, fish sauce fixes everything (more on that on another post).  Get over your fear of turkey burger and make these tonight.  Everyone in my family loved these.

Serves 4 or 5

Thai Turkey Burgers
adapted from Food and Wine

1/4 c onion
2 T cilantro
2 1/4-inch-thick slices of peeled, fresh ginger
1 jalapeno, seeded, and stemmed (optional--too spicy for my fam)
1 1/2 T fish sauce (nuoc mam or nuoc pla)
1 1/4 lbs ground turkey
1/4 c mayo
1 t Sriracha or chili garlic sauce (we prefer the chili garlic sauce)
4 or 5 hamburger buns (or brioche/kaiser rolls if you want fancier)
bread and butter pickles
lettuce
mint leaves

In a food processor, pulse the onion, cilantro, ginger, and jalapeno (if using) with the fish sauce until chopped (you can also do this by hand--I've done it both ways with good results).  Transfer into a bowl and knead into the turkey.  Gently pat the turkey mixture into four or five patties (we did five because that was how many we needed), about 1/2 - 3/4 inch thick.

Light a grill.  Brush the burgers gently with oil and grill over moderately high heat.  A warning:  these burgers want to fall apart.  Treat them quite gently to avoid this.  Grill, flipping once, until golden, crusty, and just cooked through, about 8 - 10 minutes.  While the burgers grill, also brush the rolls lightly with oil or butter and grill to just to toast.

Meanwhile, combine the mayo and the Sriracha/hot sauce.

To serve:  Brush the buns with the mayo hot sauce, if desired.  Top with burgers, pickles, lettuce, and mint if desired.  (You could also use thinly sliced jalapenos if you didn't add those to the burgers.)  Or, if your children are like mine, just top with ketchup and mustard.  :)