VOTE: BBQ and Burger Showdowns
We challenged two prestigious groups — Chopped judges and Food Network Star winners — to a summer recipe showdown. All season long, we'll present head-to-head matchups of mouthwatering summer recipes from each team — from refreshing cocktails to fresh farmers'-market salads to the juiciest backyard burgers. By voting each week here on FN Dish or on our Fan Feed, you’ll determine the winning recipes.
This week, Star winners and Chopped judges are going up against their own cohorts in two meaty showdowns. Star Season 7 winner Jeff Mauro faces his predecessor, Season 6 winner Aarti Sequeira, in a battle of pulled pork sandwiches. Chris Santos and Scott Conant often judge together behind the Chopping Block, but today they put up their best summer burgers for you to judge. Whose pulled pork and burgers will you cook up? Cast your votes below!
Star Pulled Pork Showdown: Aarti Sequeira's Pulled Pork with Mango BBQ Sauce vs. Jeff Mauro’s Hawaiian BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich
Aarti coats a boneless pork shoulder with a simple rub of brown sugar, paprika and salt and slow cooks it for 3 hours. Mango and fresh ginger give her tangy barbecue sauce a slight Indian accent.
Jeff looks to the islands for his pulled pork, serving it on Hawaiian sweet rolls (or potato rolls) with a topping of Grilled Pineapple Relish.
Chopped Burger Showdown: Scott's Burger with Taleggio and Pancetta vs. Chris’ Ultimate Backyard Burger
Scott's go-to summer burger is made with a thick patty of 80/20 ground beef topped with Taleggio cheese, crispy pancetta and an onion-mustard relish.
Chris' backyard burger combines ground chuck, brisket and lamb, and it's seasoned with paprika for a flavor-packed bite. Smoked-chile ketchup, mustard aioli, crispy bacon and classic American cheese top it off.
For more favorite summer recipes, check out Food Network's Grilling Central. Head back here to FN Dish or check out our Fan Feed next week for a new Summer Showdown matchup!