Tuscan Burger

 

Ingredients

• 2 pounds all natural ground chuck (80/20 blend) shaped into 6 burgers
• 2 medium zucchini diagonally sliced 1/8" thick
• 3 large Portobello mushroom caps
• 1 pound fresh mozzarella cut in six 1/4" thick slices
• 4 ripe Roma tomatoes sliced
• 2 handfuls baby arugula
• 3 Tbs. LunaOlivo Tuscan Dipping olive oil
• Roasted Tomato Red Pepper & Basil Sauce (Recipe follows)
• 6 Brioche or good quality hamburger buns
• Kosher or Sea salt
• Freshly ground pepper
• 8 Ripe Roma tomatoes cut in quarters
• 1 large red pepper seeded & cut in 1" chunks
• 1/2 medium onion cut in 1" chunks
• 4 medium garlic cloves
• 1/2 cup LunaOlivo Basil olive oil
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves loosely packed
• Optional: 1/8 tsp red pepper flakes

Directions

To prepare sauce:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Put the first 4 ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Toss with 1/4 cup olive oil. Add oregano (& red pepper flakes if using) salt & pepper. Put mixture into a roasting pan and cook for approximately 45 minutes stirring occasionally. Roast until very soft.

When cool enough to handle put vegetables into a food processor and process until pureed. Add basil and puree for 3 to 4 seconds. With motor running slowly drizzle in remaining 1/4 cup olive oil. Salt & pepper to taste. Refrigerate sauce. Warm sauce before .

To prepare burgers & vegetables:

Prepare the grill to medium-hot heat & lightly oil grill.

In a mixing bowl toss zucchini with 1 Tbs. olive oil season with salt & pepper. Put on a plate. In a mixing bowl toss Portobello mushroom caps with remaining oil & season with salt & pepper. Grill Portobello mushroom caps & zucchini until soft. After grilling slice Portobello mushroom caps. Brush inside of buns with olive oil & grill cut side down on cooler side of grill until golden brown. Grill burgers seasoning with salt & pepper & cook approximately 4 minutes per side for medium or 3 minutes per side for medium rare.

About 1 minute after turning top with mozzarella. Serve burgers on buns topping with zucchini portobello mushrooms tomatoes baby arugula & Roasted Tomato Red Pepper & Basil Sauce.

Recipe courtesy of the New York Burger Co.