Sichuan Burger

There’s few things more satisfying than the hamburger, can I get an amen? I like ’em any which way, unlike hot dogs, which I only like one way. The true way. But a hamburger can go all over the place, in my opinion.

Anyways, a few months ago, I needed sichuan peppercorns for a recipe for twice cooked pork I wanted to try out at home, so I ordered a little bag online. Also known as Chinese coriander, these aren’t peppercorns, but the husks of the bud on a prickly ash shrub. Sichuan peppercorns make your tongue tingle, and your mouth may even get a little numb after eating them for awhile. If this sounds alarming to you, don’t worry, it goes away quickly. Some theories are that the numbing sensation counteracts the spicy chilis that usually go hand in hand when making Sichuan cuisine. By themselves, they’re not spicy, just really fragrant and, coincidentally, a brilliant addition to a grilled hamburger.

You see, the little bag wasn’t so small, when it arrived in the mail, and a girl can only make twice cooked pork so many times. Here I was with a bunch of peppercorns, so I started adding them to things I’d cook. This flatbread burger is by far the most successful use for them.

My better half is a tremendously talented griller, as I’ve mentioned before, and he was more than happy to act the guinea pig for this experiment. It was his idea to add the grilled scallions, which get smoky and mild when cooked on the coals. They were perfect tucked up inside flatbread.

If you have easy access to Sichuan peppercorns, (thank you internet!) by all means, try this flatbread recipe. Add a few more crushed up on top of the burger if you’re loving the taste!

By the way, this recipe works just as well with lamb….try it this weekend for the burger lover in your life!

-Amy at Flatout