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.

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.

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.