Grilled Mozzarella Cheeseburgers With Dried Tomato And Arugula Pesto Recipes

MOZZARELLA GRILLED CHEESE

Steps:

• Assemble sandwich by smearing insides of bread slices with pesto. Arrange a layer of sliced tomato and season with a few turns of fresh pepper. Layer the mozzarella slices over the top and then place another piece of bread on top to make the sandwich. Drizzle olive oil over skillet's surface and place sandwiches on the hot skillet or panini press. If using a skillet, place another heavy skillet over the top to form a "press". Turn after 2 to 3 minutes and replace weight. The sandwich is ready when golden brown and mozzarella has melted around the edges.
• Toast pine nuts in a skillet over medium heat until fragrant, about 5 minutes. Combine pesto ingredients in a food processor and pulse until well combined but still rough-textured. If you have a panini press, turn it on to warm up; otherwise, set a cast iron skillet over medium heat.

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.

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.

GRILLED GOAT CHEESE & ARUGULA SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Spread pesto over four slices of bread. Layer with peppers, mozzarella cheese, goat cheese and arugula; top with remaining bread. Spread outsides of sandwiches with butter., In a large skillet, toast sandwiches over medium heat 3-4 minutes on each side or until golden brown and cheese is melted.

GRILLED MOZZARELLA AND TOMATO SKEWERS

Steps:

• Cut mozzarella in half, then into eight 3/4" slices.
• Place ingredients on the skewers in the following order: bread, tomato, basil, mozzarella, tomato, basil, mozzarella and bread. Set aside while you make the sauce.
• Mix all the sauce ingredients (everything following the skewers) together in a saucepan and warm for 1-2 minutes before serving. You don't want the tomatoes to break down, but rather just to be warmed.
• Brush the skewered mozzarella and tomato with a little olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
• Grill over high heat on both sides until the bread is lightly toasted and the cheese begins to melt, about 30-45 seconds per side.
• Spoon the sauce onto 4 warm dinner plates. Set the skewers neatly on top of the sauce, slide out the skewers and serve.

PESTO & MOZZARELLA-STUFFED BURGERS

Steps:

• Heat grill to medium heat.
• Mix meat, 2 Tbsp. pesto sauce and garlic just until blended; shape into 8 (1/4-inch-thick) patties. Combine 1/4 cup mozzarella and 1 Tbsp. of the remaining pesto sauce; spoon onto centers of 4 patties. Top with remaining patties; pinch edges together to seal.
• Grill 5 to 7 min. on each side or until done (160°F). Top with remaining mozzarella; grill 1 to 2 min. or until melted.
• Mix mayo, Parmesan and remaining pesto sauce until blended; spread onto bottom halves of rolls. Cover with burgers and tops of rolls.