Ginger Beef and Pork Toasts

• Recipe by Grace Parisi

These crispy, Asian-inspired hors d’oeuvres are similar to shrimp toasts (flavored shrimp paste spread on bread and fried), except they’re made with a succulent combination of beef and pork.

Ingredients

1. Butter, for greasing the baking sheet
2. 1/2 pound ground pork
3. 1/2 pound ground beef chuck
4. 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
5. 1 large garlic clove, minced
6. 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
7. 2 teaspoons cornstarch
8. 3/4 teaspoon salt
9. 1 egg white
10. 8 slices of white sandwich bread
11. 1 teaspoon Asian sesame oil, plus more for brushing
12. 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
13. 2 tablespoons soy sauce
14. 2 tablespoons rice vinegar

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 425°. Lightly butter a large baking sheet. In a bowl, combine the ground meats, ginger, garlic, cilantro, cornstarch, salt and egg white and knead until blended.
2. Arrange the bread on a work surface. Divide the meat mixture among the bread slices and spread it roughly into a 3-inch square on each slice. Brush lightly with sesame oil and sprinkle with the sesame seeds. Trim the bread into 3-inch squares, then cut each square into quarters. Transfer to the baking sheet.
3. Bake for 10 minutes, until the meat is cooked through. Turn on the broiler. Broil the toasts for 2 minutes, until lightly browned.
4. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the soy sauce, rice vinegar and the 1 teaspoon of sesame oil. Transfer the toasts to a platter and serve with the dipping sauce.