Caprese Stuffed Burgers Recipes

CAPRESE BURGER

Steps:

• Whisk the balsamic vinegar, oil, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Pour over tomato slices to marinate.
• Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat, and lightly oil the grate.
• Mix ground beef, tomato paste, basil, Parmesan cheese, garlic, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a large bowl. Form beef mixture into 4 equal patties.
• Cook on the preheated grill until the burgers are cooked to your desired degree of doneness, about 5 minutes per side for well done. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read 160 degrees F (70 degrees C). Top each burger with mozzarella cheese; allow to melt. Serve on hamburger buns with marinated tomato slices.

CAPRESE BURGERS

Steps:

• For the burgers: Place a grill pan over medium-high heat or preheat a gas or charcoal grill. Combine the beef, pesto, Parmesan, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Form the mixture into eight 4-inch-diameter patties, each about 3/4-inch thick. Grill for 5 minutes. Turn the burgers over and place a slice of mozzarella on top. Cook for about 5 minutes longer until the burgers are cooked through and the cheese is slightly melted. Allow the burgers to rest for 5 minutes.
• For the pesto mayonnaise: In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise and pesto until smooth.
• To assemble the burgers: Drizzle the cut side of the bread with olive oil and grill until lightly toasted, 1 to 2 minutes. Spread the pesto mayonnaise over the bottom halves of the grilled bread. Place the burgers on top and add 2 tomato slices. Add the top halves of the bread and serve.
• Bake in a preheated 350 degrees F oven until lightly toasted, 6 to 8 minutes. Cool completely before using. Combine the basil, Parmesan, pine nuts, salt, pepper and garlic in a food processor. Pulse until finely chopped. With the machine running, gradually add the olive oil until the mixture forms a smooth paste.

CAPRESE STUFFED BURGERS

Steps:

• In a medium-sized bowl, combine the ground chicken, tomato, shallots, basil, Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper. Mix well but lightly; don't crush the meat.
• Form 4 burgers and, with your thumb, make a pocket in the center of each burger. Insert a chunk of mozzarella into the pocket, then shape the burgers to enclose the cheese. Chill burgers 10 to 15 minutes.
• Heat a grill or grill pan to medium high heat. Grill the burgers about 5 to 8 minutes on each side or until no longer pink in center. Burgers are done when they feel firm to the touch and a meat thermometer inserted in the center reaches 170°F.
• Warm or lightly grill the hamburger rolls. Place a warm burger on each roll and top with the mozzarella slices, tomato slices, lettuce and basil leaves if desired.

MOZZ-STUFFED CAPRESE BURGERS WITH GRIDDLED TOMATO, BASIL SAUCE & PARMESAN POTATO ROUNDS

Steps:

• • Adjust racks to top and middle positions and preheat oven to 450 degrees. Wash and dry all produce. • Slice potatoes into ¼-inch-thick rounds (no need to peel); toss on a baking sheet with 2 TBSP olive oil, half the Italian Seasoning (you'll use the rest later), and a few big pinches of salt and pepper. Arrange in a single overlapping layer. • Roast on top rack for 18-20 minutes. Remove from oven (they'll finish cooking in step 6). • 4 SERVINGS: Use 4 TBSP olive oil.
• • Meanwhile, slice tomato into ½-inchthick rounds. Pick basil leaves from stems; mince leaves. • Place 1 TBSP butter and half the garlic powder (use the rest as you like) in a small bowl; microwave until butter is softened, 10-20 seconds. Season with salt and pepper and stir to combine. • 4 SERVINGS: Use 2 TBSP butter and all the garlic powder.
• • In a second small bowl, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, and 1 TBSP minced basil. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside. • 4 SERVINGS: Use 2 TBSP minced basil.
• • In a medium bowl, combine beef*, remaining Italian Seasoning, and remaining basil; season generously with salt and pepper. Form mixture into two ½-inch-thick patties. • Divide mozzarella between the centers of each patty. Gently fold meat around mozzarella, shaping and sealing to create cheese-stuffed patties. • 4 SERVINGS: Form beef mixture into four patties.
• • Season tomato with salt and pepper. Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large, preferably nonstick, pan over mediumhigh heat. Add tomato and cook until lightly browned, 1-2 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate. • Add another drizzle of olive oil to same pan; add patties and cook to desired doneness, 3-5 minutes per side.
• • Sprinkle roasted potatoes with Parmesan. Return to oven until cheese is melted and slightly crispy, 5-7 minutes more. • Meanwhile, halve buns; spread cut sides with garlic butter. Place on a second baking sheet and toast on middle rack until lightly browned, 3-5 minutes. • Spread top buns with basil sauce; fill buns with patties and griddled tomato. Serve with potatoes and any remaining basil sauce on the side.

MOZZ-STUFFED CAPRESE BURGERS WITH GRIDDLED TOMATO, CREAMY PESTO & POTATO WEDGES

Steps:

• • Adjust rack to top position and preheat oven to 450 degrees. Wash and dry produce. • Cut potatoes into ½-inch-thick wedges; toss on a baking sheet with 2 TBSP olive oil (4 TBSP for 4 servings), half the Italian Seasoning (you'll use the rest later), and a few big pinches of salt and pepper. • Roast on top rack until tender and crisped, 20-25 minutes.
• • While potatoes roast, slice tomato into ½-inch-thick rounds.
• • In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, and half the pesto (you'll use the rest in the next step). Season with salt and pepper.
• • In a medium bowl, combine beef*, remaining Italian Seasoning, and remaining pesto; season generously with salt and pepper. Form mixture into two ½-inch-thick rounds (four rounds for 4 servings). • Divide mozzarella between the centers of each round. Gently fold meat around mozzarella, shaping and sealing to create cheese-stuffed patties, each slightly wider than a burger bun.
• • Season tomato with salt and pepper. • Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large, preferably nonstick, pan over mediumhigh heat. Add tomato and cook until lightly browned, 1-2 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate. • Add another drizzle of olive oil to same pan; add patties and cook to desired doneness, 3-5 minutes per side.
• • Meanwhile, halve and toast buns. • Spread top buns with creamy pesto; fill buns with patties and griddled tomato. • Divide burgers between plates. Serve with potato wedges and any remaining creamy pesto on the side for dipping.