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

There's No Place Like Rome

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!

Author

Damon Holter

Category

Tasty Grilled Stuff

Ingredients

• 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
• 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.

Directions

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