Latin-Inspired Shrimp Burgers with Avocado Pineapple Aioli

Shrimp is one of my favorite foods. And we already know how I feel about cilantro. So I decided to combine the two. The outcome? Amazing. These burgers, topped with an avocado pineapple aioli makes me feel like I'm sitting on the beach at a little hole-in-the-wall in Key West. Ahh, yes...a girl can dream. I served mine with homemade fries, but was also considering a coleslaw using the aioli as a dressing. You can't go wrong either way you go. Enjoy!

Shrimp Burger Ingredients (Prep time: 20 mins; makes 6 burgers)

1 pound medium shrimp, shelled and deveined

1 egg

4 TBSPs chopped cilantro leaves
zest of one lime

3 garlic cloves, peeled

3/4 cup GF bread crumbs, plus more as needed

1 poblano chile, roasted/peeled/stemmed/seeded/diced

1/2 TBSP kosher salt

1/2 TBSP freshly ground black pepper

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

2 GF hamburger buns, split in half

avocado pineapple aioli (see recipe below)

1 medium tomato, sliced

lettuce leaves

Preparation Instructions

In a food processor, combine the shrimp, egg, lime zest, cilantro, garlic, 3/4 cup bread crumbs, Poblano chile, salt, and pepper. Process until the mixture is a coarse puree. Form the mixture into 3 patties and set aside (if the mixture is too wet, add additional bread crumbs, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the mixture can be molded easily).

Put a grill pan over medium-high heat or preheat a gas or charcoal grill. Brush the patties with vegetable oil and grill until golden, about 3 minutes per side, depending on the thickness.

Avocado Pineapple Aioli Ingredients

1 avocado, halved, pitted, and peeled

4 ounces of plain greek yogurt

6 ounces of canned pineapple

2 medium garlic cloves, peeled

1 Serrano pepper, stemmed, halved and seeded

2 tablespoons chopped cilantro leaves

Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Preparation Instructions

Scoop the avocado pulp into the bowl of a food processor. Add the yogurt, pineapple, garlic cloves, Serrano pepper and cilantro. Process until smooth. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Serve the shrimp burgers on buns, topped with a dollop of aioli, sliced tomato, and lettuce. Enjoy!