J.C’s Better Burger

Pairs well with:

Cabernet Sauvignon

This rich red easily complements your homemade chicken dishes, red meats, game, and mildly seasoned pastas.

The Contest was my inspiration. I heard about it and said, ‘hey, Anyone can do that, Why not me?!’ I love to create new or better dishes so I thought this was a great chance!

Ingredients:

Gotta Love It!!
6 roma tomatos
3 clove garlic
1 ½ tablespoons balsamic vinegar

The SECRET Sauce – Ok It’s not a ‘Secret’ But YUM!
3 Tablespoons Mayonnaise
1 ½ Tablespoons Zesty Italian Dressing

The Basics
1 large yellow onion
2 large red peppers
2 tablespoons olive oil

Patties – Without This You Ain’t Got a Burger
2 lbs Ground Beef – 80% lean
2 tablespoons Basil
2 Tablespoons Oregano
½ tablespoon salt
½ tablespoon pepper

Food scale if available
Vegetable oil
1/3 stick butter
6 seeded hamburger buns
12 thin slices muenster cheese

Instructions:

To make the ‘Gotta Love It’, chop the tomato into small to medium pieces then chop the garlic into small pieces but do not crush. Gently mix in small bowl and add the balsamic vinegar. Continue gently mixing until the vinegar is absorbed. Do not use a processor or other equipment to mix or this could turn out too mushy. Chill.
To make the ‘Secret’ sauce simply take the mayonnaise and the Italian dressing and mix in a small dish. Chill
To make the ‘Basics’ cut the onion and red peppers into thin strips. Take a fire proof skillet or pan, place over medium heat and add olive oil. Let pan heat for 1 minute and then add onions and red peppers. Let cook until brown.
To make the patties, mix the ground beef, oregano, basil, salt and pepper, in a large bowl. Be careful to handle the ground beef as little as possible as to not compact it. Divide the mixture into 6 equal parts. If a food scale is available, weigh the portions to 1/3 lbs. each. Form into patties that will fit onto the buns.
Brush the grill rack with vegetable oil.
Place the patties on the rack over medium heat, cover, and cook for 5 minutes then flip the burger. Cook for another 5 minutes.
With 2.5 minutes left, take the butter and spread on both top and bottom insides of the bun and place on the outer edges of the grill rack. Toast until they have a nice brown color. Be Careful to check so they do not burn.
When there is approx. 1.5 minutes left of cooking time,place a generous portion of the cooked onions and red pepper on top of each burger and then place 2 slices of the cheese on top.

To Assemble: Take the bottom half of the bun and place 2 tablespoons of the Gotta Love It mixture on it and spread evenly so the mixture covers most or all of the inside surface of the bun. Place the burger with onions, red pepper and cheese on top. Take the ‘Secret’ sauce and generously spread it over the inside surface of the top half of the bun. Place top half of bun on the burger. Enjoy.