There’s No Place Like Rome, an Italian-Inspired Burger

Since my childhood, my Italian family has been making Italian Hamburgers for Christmas dinner.  I have taken an ages-old family recipe and elevated it a notch or two.  This burger takes the flavors of an Italian meatball and combines it with pesto, Italian seasonings and cheeses and serves it up on a unique presentation for the bun, warm and chewy on the inside, light and crisp on the outside.  Bon appetite!

Ingredients:

For the Burger Patty:

1.5 pounds Ground Beef

1.5 pounds Ground Pork

1 Medium Yellow Onion, diced

½ cup Italian Seasoned Bread Crumbs

½ cup Croix Valley Italian Barbecue Booster™

Directions:  Mix Italian Booster with Ground Pork by hand in mixing bowl, combining thoroughly.  Add remaining ingredients and mix well.  Form into 6 oz patties and grill over medium heat or in a 350⁰ oven until done (165⁰ internal temp).  Melt 4 cheese blend on burgers before assembly.

Lettuce, shredded

Pesto Mayo:  ½ cup mayonnaise and 2 Tbsp Pesto, mixed

Marinara Sauce (use your favorite or make your own using 1 can Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes, ½ cup Tomato Paste, 1 Tbsp Italian Booster)

4 Cheese Blend (Parmesan, Romano, Provolone, Asiago)

Tempura-battered Ciabatta Bun: for the buns, make Tempura Batter using 2 cups ice cold water and 2 cups flour, whisk together).  Dip buns in Tempura Batter and deep fry in oil until golden and crisp.

Assembly top to bottom:

1. Top Bun
2. Marinara Sauce
3. Melted Cheese
4. Burger patty
5. Shredded Lettuce
6. Pesto Mayo
7. Bottom Bun