In a recent chat Chef Cesar Zapata gave us his take on preparing for the Super Bowl and shared one of his favorite recipes, black bean veggie burgers.
Mamiverse: How do you usually celebrate the Super Bowl?
Cesar: As a chef, the most important thing at my Super Bowl parties is the food. The night before I gather all my ingredients. The next morning I light up the Caja China, a special outdoor roasting oven, to cook the pig. I start cracking the stone crabs, cook the lobster, and set up a table with dips, chips, and caviar.
MV: What are some unique tips for giving the Super Bowl a Latin flavor?
Cesar: I like to use a Caja China in order to roast a whole pig. Of course, if you don’t have access to one, you can also roast it the traditional way. I also like my dishes to be full of flavor. I always add a little Tabasco Chipotle and Tabasco Jalapeño to complement my marinades, which adds a little Latin spice.
MV: How can readers upgrade the usual Super Bowl staple, such as hamburgers?
Cesar: I’ve taken the classic frita, or Cuban hamburger, and added my own twist. I use Colombian chorizo, ground beef, matchstick potatoes, onions, barbecue sauce and Tabasco Chipotle. For a vegetarian option, try my Smoky Black Bean Burger, a very flavorful recipe with an added kick that’s perfect for the Super Bowl.
Read Related: Bold Super Bowl Recipes from Chef Aarón Sánchez
SMOKY BLACK BEAN BURGER
Makes: 4-6 servings
Prep Time: 30 min.
Cook Time: 10 min.
Ingredients:
For the Burgers:
1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed, divided
4 ounces cremini or button mushrooms, chopped
1 medium shallot, chopped
6 pickled jalapeño peppers, sliced
2 Tbsp. house barbecue sauce, plus more for serving
2 Tbsp. Tabasco Chipotle Pepper Sauce
1 tsp. ancho powder or chili powder
½ tsp. ground cumin
1 cup oats
⅓ cup cooked white long-grain rice
1 large egg white
Kosher salt
Freshly ground pepper
For the Rajas:
1 pound poblano peppers
2 ounces extra virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Corn Relish:
¼ cup shucked roasted corn
1 Tbsp. thinly sliced chives
2 Tbsp. olive oil, plus more for cooking of burgers
Black pepper, to taste
4-6 brioche or potato buns
8 slices Pepper Jack cheese
Instructions:
For the Burgers:
1. Set aside ½ cup black beans. In a food processor, pulse remaining black beans, mushrooms, shallots, jalapeño peppers, barbecue sauce, Tabasco Chipotle Sauce, ancho or chile powder and cumin until a chunky purée forms.
2. Transfer purée to a medium bowl and mix in oats, rice, egg white and reserved beans; season with salt and pepper.
3. Form mixture into patties about ½-inch-thick, cover and chill for 1 hour.
4. Heat a pan to medium-high; add a touch of olive oil and sear patties on both sides until crisp.
For the Rajas:
1. Preheat oven to 450°F or heat a broiler, charcoal grill to medium-high or gas grill to high.
2. For the oven or broiler, mix peppers, oil, salt and pepper in a large bowl; place on a rimmed baking sheet. For a grill, oil grill grate and place peppers directly atop. Roast 15 to 20 minutes, turning occasionally, until tender and charred.
3. Transfer to a large bowl, cover with plastic wrap and let steam for 15 minutes. Peel peppers and slice in half; discard seeds and slice crosswise into ¼-inch strips.
For the Corn Relish:
1. In a bowl, combine all ingredients and season with black pepper.
2. Toast buns on the grill or oven. Place patty on bun and top with cheese, roasted Rajas and Corn Relish. Serve with extra barbecue sauce.
Recipe created by Chef Cesar Zapata. Photos courtesy of Tabasco.
