Amore’ Burgers

Ingredients

Avocado Topping
1 large California avocado, diced into small cubes
1 bunch green onions
1 jar marinated artichoke hearts
Pepperoni Topping
4 oz sliced pepperoni
1 4oz can sliced black olives
Mushroom Topping
1 8oz package sliced mushrooms
1/2 small onion
2 tablespoon sweet butter
Patties
1 1/2 pound gound chuck
1 egg, slightly beaten
1 heaping tablespoon Italian seasoning
1/3 cup Roasted Garlic Tomato Sauce (comes in 8oz can)
1 tablespoon Garlic Salt
1 tablespoon fresh ground pepper
1 1/2 cup of 4 or 5 grated Italian cheese blend (found in deli section)
Colavita Extra Virgin Olive Oil for brushing on the grill rack and cut sides of buns
6 sesame seeded buns, split

Instructions

Prepare a medium-hot fire on a charcoal grill or pre-heat a gas grill to medium-high heat. Assemble the burgers, handling the meat as litte as possible tp avoid compacting it, mix well. Place ground beef in medium mixing bowl, in put the egg, seasonings and tomato sauce. Mix together until blended. Divide the meat mixture into 12 "golf ball" sized balls. Flatten each ball into patties and place on parchment paper. Place 1/4 cup of the cheese on top of a pattie and then place another pattie on top of the pattie and cheese. Thereby "sandwiching" the cheese in between. Crimp the edges together with your hands and then slightly flatten the entire burger with the palm of your hand. Keep patties a little larger than the bun size to allow for some shrinkage of the patties. Enjoy a sip of Sutter Home Zinfandel or Pinot Noir! To make the avacado topping, slice green onions into circles using the green end and then the white onion tip, throw away the middle section. In a small mixing bowl, mix together the jar of artichoke hearts, diced avocado and sliced green onions. Store in refrigerator until ready to use with the avocado seed on top to prevent browning of the topping. To make the pepperoni topping, chop up sliced pepperoni. Place pepperoni in a small mixing bowl and add the olives. Stir these together and set aside. To make mushroom topping, combine mushrooms, onion, and butter n a 10" non-stick, fire-proof skillet and place on the outer section of the grill. Cook mushroom mixture until browned about 10-15 minutes and most of the liquid is evaporated. Remove the pan from the grill. Set aside, covered. When the grill is ready, brush the grill with Colavita Olive oil for flavor and to prevent the patties from sticking. Place the patties on the rack and cook turning once, just until done to preference, 2-4 minutes on each side for medium. Remove from heat and let rest while grilling the buns. Brush the buns with Colavita Extra Virgin Olive oil and place cut side down, on the outer edges of the grill rack to toast lightly. When serving burgers, place an Amore' Burger on the bottom of a bun with the roll top adjacent, so that guests may choose a topping of their choice. Makes 6 burgers