how2heroes » Cubano Burger

Entrees » Cubano Burger

There's nothing missing in this killer recipe from Denise Baron of Burtons Grill near Fenway Park. She covers all the bases for the best burger ever. From the ham and cheese inside, to the glaze and the chipotle mayo on top, Denise hits this one right outta the park! Now you can too.

Print Recipe

Makes 5 epic burgers!

Ingredients

Cubano Glaze (makes 1 cup)

½ cup Dijon mustard
½ cup molasses

Chipotle Mayonnaise (makes 1 cup)

1 cup mayonnaise
1 tsp lime juice
3 tbsp chipotle peppers in adobe sauce, chopped fine
1 tbsp red onions, minced
1 tbsp chopped cilantro

Burgers

20 oz ground pork
15 oz ground beef
5 slices ham, ¾ - 1 oz each
10 slices Swiss cheese
salt
pepper
canola oil or butter for pan

Special Equipment

stainless steel bowls
rubber spatula
burger patty paper
skillet

How-to

Make Glaze - yield = 1 cup (shelf life - 4 days)

Combine ingredients in a stainless steel bowl and mix to combine
Store in air-tight plastic containers

Make Chipotle Mayonnaise - yield = 1 cup (shelf life - 4 days)

Combine all ingredients in a stainless steel bowl and mix to combine

Prepare Burgers

Mix in both meats and incorporate well but don't over mix
Form 3½ oz balls. You should have an even number of balls
Flatten half of the 3½ oz balls
Take the cheese and fold 1 side over ½". Fit the cheese together so it is like 3 slices together. Wrap the slice of ham around the cheese and set in the center of burger
Flatten the remaining balls into discs to cover the ham and cheese
Top each burger with the flattened meat forming a stuffed burger
Once all burgers are formed remove from the board and layer with patty paper

Cook Burgers

Heat a small amount of canola oil (or clarified butter) in a frying pan. Salt and pepper the burgers on both sides
Sear burgers for 3 minutes on one side until golden brown. Then gently flip the burgers and add 1 tbsp of Cubano Glaze to each burger and spread over burger surface. Then finish burgers in the oven at 450º for 6 minutes

Watch this Hero's Profile Video

Denise Baron

Burtons Grill Executive Chef Denise Baron was backpacking through Panama in 2004 when she got “the call.” Her older sister, Amy, was getting married and she wanted Denise to return home for the wedding. Baron readily agreed to temporarily halt her yearlong travels for the occasion. But when she showed up for her sister’s big day, Baron encountered an opportunity that would change her life journey forever. “I met my sister’s friend, Kevin Harron, after the wedding,” Baron, recalls. “He knew I had been the Executive Chef for Houston’s Restaurants and that I had extensive experience plus a culinary degree from Johnson& Wales.” Before the day was through, Harron had offered Baron the chance to become the Executive Chef for a new restaurant he was planning to open with veteran restaurateurs Kevin Rowell and Pat Gordon. The rest is culinary history. Since joining Burtons Grill’s growing chain of highly successful, polished-casual restaurants, Baron has created an enticing menu that bridges flavor and presentation and emphasizes honest ingredients and simple cooking methods. Clam chowder is infused with cayenne pepper to provide a subtle yet unmistakable kick, while a pan-seared scallop appetizer over fresh creamed corn teases the palate with hints of jalapeno pepper, a reminder of Baron’s South American influences. Burtons Grill’s trademark bronzed seafood entrées of salmon, shrimp, tilapia, scallops and swordfish reflect Baron’s love for richly flavored, aromatic food without the heaviness of blackening or Cajun spices. Fresh cilantro, parsley, chives, thyme, and mint plus ground coriander give Burtons Grill’s top-quality meats, day-boat seafood,seasonal vegetables, sandwiches, salads and sautéed items a sensuous appeal that is hard to match. Baron did finally complete her 12-month journey across the continent from Mexico to Chile, honing her mastery of the regional cuisines and appreciation for fresh, local spices and foods along the way. The philosophy at Burtons Grill reflects Baron’s wholehearted embrace of using top quality ingredients, classic, fresh flavors and uncomplicated cooking techniques to create a memorable dining experience. “When I create new menu items for the month, I think about the flavors and how they pair in the mouth and how the guests are going to feel after they’ve eaten them,” she relates. “I want people to remember their experience at Burtons Grill and keep coming back for it time after time.” “The owners tell me, ‘All we want are homeruns,’ ” Baron relates with a smile. “I say, “If it’s not a homerun, then I won’t do it.” It’s a winning combination for Burtons Grill.

Oysters Rockefeller

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Comments (5)

Posted Saturday, July 11, 2009, at 5:05 pm by how2heroes:

Thanks for your comment, thickeyjr! We amended our recipe to show that Denise adds the Cubano Glaze just after she flips the burger & before finishing it off in the oven (see Section 3, Sear Burger, in the video). If making several burgers, add about 1 tbsp of glaze each.
Posted Monday, July 6, 2009, at 12:29 pm by Tom H:

I served these burgers over the 4th of July and they were the best burgers ever. My guests were delighted with the taste and presentation. I did notice that the printed recipe does not tell you when to apply the glaze and how much to apply. I went back and watched the video again and they were the greatest . I wrote it in on the recipe and gave it to my friends. Thanks for a terrific burger.
Posted Wednesday, July 1, 2009, at 7:48 pm by Terry Torres:

A friend of mine made a bunch of these for my birthday. It was pretty delightful.
Posted Monday, June 29, 2009, at 7:36 pm by Brooke Toubeau:

I made 6 of these deeeeeelicious burgers yesterday at my BBQ with my dad (belated Fathers Day).. They were a HUGE hit. It was great watching peoples faces when they took a bite and the melted cheese and ham started oooozing out. so yummy. It does take a bit of preparation though, I would recommend making the sauces and assembling the burgers an hour or so before you want to get cookin.
Posted Wednesday, April 8, 2009, at 2:48 pm by Brooke:

This burger is like nothing I've ever had before! It is both colossal and epic! wow.

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Cubano Burger