Hoisin Chicken Burgers with Pickled Red Onions

Ingredients

• ½ c. rice vinegar
• 1½ tsp. Kosher salt
• 1 tbsp. sugar
• ½ star anise
• 8 peppercorns
• ½ red onion
• ¼ c. minced red onion
• 1 lb. ground chicken
• ¼ c. minced red bell pepper
• 2 clove garlic
• 6 tbsp. hoisin sauce
• 2 tbsp. breadcrumbs
• 2 tbsp. sesame seeds
• 1 tbsp. Grated Ginger
• 4 tsp. soy sauce
• olive oil
• 4 sesame-seed buns
• Lettuce

Directions

1. In a small saucepan over medium heat, bring the first 5 ingredients to a gentle simmer. Remove pan from heat and let cool to room temperature. Add onion rings and stir; then let steep.
2. Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine minced onion, chicken, bell pepper, garlic, 4 tablespoons hoisin sauce, breadcrumbs, sesame seeds, ginger, and soy sauce. Form the mixture into 4 patties.
3. Brush grates with oil, and grill burgers for about 4 minutes; flip and repeat, brushing with remaining hoisin sauce during the last minute. Meanwhile, strain and reserve pickled onions, discarding liquid. Assemble burgers on buns, with lettuce and reserved pickled onions.
4. Source: countryliving.com