Zinfandel Burgers Recipes

NAPA VALLEY BASIL-SMOKED BURGERS

Steps:

• • Pairs well with Sutter Home Zinfandel.
• Prepare a medium-hot fire in a charcoal grill with a cover, or preheat a gas grill to medium-high.
• To make the mayonnaise, combine the ingredients in a small bowl and mix well. Cover and refrigerate until needed.
• To make the patties, combine the sirloin, Zinfandel, basil, onion, bread crumbs, sun-dried tomatoes, and garlic salt in a large bowl. Handling the meat as little as possible to avoid compacting it, mix well. Divide the mixture into 6 equal portions and form the portions into patties to fit the rolls.
• When the grill is ready, brush the grill rack with vegetable oil. Toss the moistened basil sprigs directly onto the fire. Place the patties on the rack, cover, and cook, turning once, until done to preference, 5 to 7 minutes on each side for medium. During the last few minutes of cooking, place the rolls, cut side down, on the outer edges of the rack to toast lightly. During the last minute of cooking, top each patty with a cheese slice.
• To assemble the burgers, spread the mayonnaise over the cut sides of the rolls. On each roll bottom, place a lettuce leaf, a patty, a tomato slice, an onion slice, and a basil sprig. Add the roll tops and serve.

CARAMELIZED ONION ZIN-BURGERS WITH CRISPY CHEDDAR FRICO

Steps:

• Heat a 10-inch saute pan over high heat. When hot add the olive oil, onions, and season with some salt and black pepper. Reduce heat to medium-high and continue to cook for 10 minutes until caramelized, stirring often. Sprinkle in the thyme and continue to cook for one minute. Add the Zinfandel and cook until wine is 2/3 reduced. Take off the heat and let cool to room temperature.
• For the Cheddar fricos: In an 8-inch nonstick pan heated over medium-high heat add 1/4 cup shredded cheese. Cook until cheese is light brown on the bottom. Turn over with a plastic spatula and continue cooking for another 10 to 15 seconds. Remove to a plate to cool. Wipe pan and start again until 6 fricos are complete.
• Form 6 (1/2-pound) beef patties and season very well with sea salt and black pepper on each side. Place on a hot grill and cook until nicely browned, approximately 5 minutes. Turn over and continue to cook to desired doneness.
• A couple of minutes before the burgers are done halve the rolls and lightly brown on the grill, open side down.
• Place burgers on the bottom halves of the rolls, adding a generous helping of onions. Season the tomato slices with salt and pepper. Top the burgers with frico, tomato slice and greens. Roll up your sleeves and dive in.

NAPA VALLEY BASIL-SMOKED BURGERS

Steps:

• 1. Prepare a medium-hot fire in a charcoal grill with a cover, or preheat a gas grill to medium-high.
• 2. To make the mayonnaise, combine the ingredients in a small bowl and mix well. Cover and refrigerate until needed.
• 3. To make the patties, combine the sirloin, Zinfandel, basil, onion, bread crumbs, sun-dried tomatoes, and garlic salt in a large bowl. Handling the meat as little as possible to avoid compacting it, mix well. Divide the mixture into 6 equal portions and form the portions into patties to fit the rolls.
• 4. When the grill is ready, brush the grill rack with vegetable oil. Toss the moistened basil sprigs directly onto the fire. Place the patties on the rack, cover, and cook, turning once, until done to preference, 5 to 7 minutes on each side for medium. During the last few minutes of cooking, place the rolls, cut side down, on the outer edges of the rack to toast lightly. During the last minute of cooking, top each patty with a cheese slice.
• 5. To assemble the burgers, spread the mayonnaise over the cut sides of the rolls. On each roll bottom, place a lettuce leaf, a patty, a tomato slice, an onion slice, and a basil sprig. Add the roll tops and serve.

ZINFANDEL BURGERS

Steps:

• Prepare grill for cooking.
• In a medium bowl combine the following: hamburger, Zinfandel, minced basil, minced onion, bread crumbs, sundried tomatoes, and garlic salt.
• Divide the hamburger into 6 portions and shape into round patties.
• Spray the grill with canola oil.
• Toss the basil sprigs onto the coals.
• Grill hamburger patties until done (5 to 8 minutes approximately on each side).
• During the last minute of cooking top each hamburger with a slice of cheese.
• Mix mayonnaise and basil pesto and spread some of this mixture onto each of the toasted hamburger buns.
• Assemble lettuce, hamburger, tomato slice and onion slices onto each bun.