Grilled Mozzarella Cheeseburgers With Dried Tomato And Arugula Pesto Recipes

ZESTY ITALIAN BURGERS

Steps:

• Heat the grill to high. Divide the ground beef into 4 portions. Salt and pepper the patties. Layer each patty with a slice of pancetta on top and bottom. Press the pancetta into each patty.
• Cut the onion and mozzarella into rounds. Melt the butter and mix it with the tomato paste and anchovy paste. Cut the ciabatta buns and brush the insides with tomato-butter.
• Carefully brush the grill with oil or use non-stick grill spray. Grill the patties and onions at the same time. Grill the patties for 3-5 minutes per side and the onions for 1-2 minutes per side.
• Once you flip the burgers, lay the onion rounds over the top of each patty, followed by the mozzarella slices. The cheese will melt while the burgers finish cooking.
• Place the buns on the open grill and toast for 1 minute. Once the buns are toasted, slather them with pesto. Layer arugula leaves, tomato slices and a patty on each bun. Top and serve!

BURGERS A LA PIZZAIOLA

Steps:

• Place a grill pan over medium-high heat or preheat a gas or charcoal grill.
• In a food processor, pulse together the garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, basil, cheeses, tomato paste, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Process until blended. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl. Add the beef and, using a wooden spoon or clean hands, stir until combined. Form the mixture into 8 (4-inch diameter) patties, each about 3/4-inch thick. Grill each side until cooked through, about 5 minutes. Allow to rest for 5 minutes.
• Brush the cut side of the rolls with olive oil and grill until lightly toasted, about 1 minute.
• Place the burgers on the bottom half of the rolls and add desired toppings. Add the top half of the rolls and serve.
• Place a grill pan over medium-high heat or preheat a gas or charcoal grill.
• In a food processor, pulse together the garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, basil, cheeses, tomato paste, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Process until blended. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl. Add the beef and, using a wooden spoon or clean hands, stir until combined. Form the mixture into 8 (4-inch diameter) patties, each about 3/4-inch thick. Grill each side until cooked through, about 5 minutes. Allow to rest for 5 minutes.
• Brush the cut side of the rolls with olive oil and grill until lightly toasted, about 1 minute.
• Place the burgers on the bottom half of the rolls and add desired toppings. Add the top half of the rolls and serve.

THE ULTIMATE GRILLED PORTOBELLO BURGER

Steps:

• Add the olive oil and balsamic vinegar to a small blender and blend well until smooth. Wash and pat dry the portobello caps and transfer them to a sealable container (or zip-lock bag) along with the balsamic marinade. Allow the mushrooms to marinate at least 15 minutes, up to 1 hour.
• Heat the grill to medium and brush the eggplant slices with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Place the portobello mushrooms and the eggplant on the hot grill and cover. Cook until grill marks appear, about 2 to 3 minutes for the eggplant and about 5 to 7 minutes for the mushrooms. Flip and continue cooking until vegetables are juicy, tender, and cooked through, about another 2 to 3 minutes for the eggplant and 5 to 7 minutes for the mushrooms. Transfer vegetables to a plate.
• Toast two buns with havarti cheese (or your choice) and layer with a grilled portobello mushroom, a few slices of eggplant, roasted red bell pepper, red onion, and arugula. Drizzle on desired amount of pesto sauce and serve.

GRILLED MOZZARELLA CHEESEBURGERS WITH DRIED TOMATO AND ARUGULA PESTO

Steps:

• Prepare grill.
• Cut six 1/4-inch-thick slices from center of onion and reserve. Divide beef into 6 portions. Form indentation in each portion and spoon rounded teaspoon pesto into each indentation. Form beef portions into six 3/4-inch-thick patties, enclosing pesto completely. Grill patties on an oiled rack set 5 to 6 inches over glowing coals 5 minutes. Turn burgers and grill 3 minutes more. Top burgers with mozzarella and grill 2 minutes more, or until just cooked through. Transfer burgers to a platter and let stand while grilling onion. Brush onion on both sides with oil and grill until softened and browned, about 3 minutes on each side.
• Spread pesto on both sides of buns and make sandwiches with onion and burgers.
• In a food processor blend together all ingredients with salt and pepper to taste until smooth. Pesto keeps, surface covered with plastic wrap, chilled, 1 week. Makes about 1 cup.