LAYERED LASAGNE BURGER ON BASIL GARLIC BREAD
Ingredients
Spinach Patties
½ cup low-fat ricotta cheese
2/3 cup chopped spinach
2 tablespoons roasted garlic
Garlic Bread
1 ¼ cup softened butter
4 tablespoons fresh ground basil
2 tablespoons roasted garlic
1 large 24-inch long loaf of Italian bread, cut lengthwise
Patties 1 ½ pounds ground beef
1 1-ounce packet dry onion soup mix
½ tablespoon fresh ground pepper
½ tablespoon fresh ground oregano
1 tablespoon fresh grated parmesan cheese
Eggplant
1 large eggplant, skinned and cut into 12 – ¼ inch thick round slices
¼ cup Colavita olive oil
vegetable oil to grease rack
1 cup Italian seasoned
tomato pasta sauce
12 slices of mozzarella cheese
Instructions
Pre-heat grill to medium-high heat. In a small bowl, combine ricotta cheese, spinach and 2 tablespoons of garlic. Mix well, cover and set aside. To make the patties, combine ground beef, dry onion soup mix, pepper, oregano and parmesan cheese in a large bowl and mix well. Divide mixture into 12 equal portions and shape into rectangular patties to fit bread. Cover and set aside. Place olive oil in shallow bowl. Coat eggplant slices well and place on grill rack. Sprinkle with remaining 2 tablespoons of basil. Cover & cook for about 5 minutes, turning once. Remove, cover and set aside. For garlic bread, mix softened butter, 2 tablespoons of basil and 2 tablespoons of garlic in small bowl. Spread generously on both interior sides of bread. Place both sides back together and wrap in aluminum foil. Place on outer edge of grill and heat for about 6 minutes, rotate once. Place tomato sauce in a small fire-proof saucepan, cover and heat slightly. Brush the grill rack with vegetable oil. Place the patties on the rack, cover & cook, turning once until done to preference. About 2 minutes on each side for medium rare. When the burgers are almost done, place a cheese slice on top and melt slightly. To assemble, cut loaf into 6 equal portions. Place an eggplant slice on the bottom of the garlic bread. Then place a burger patty. Divide the spinach mixture evenly and place on top. Place another burger, then another eggplant slice. Top with a generous spoon of tomato sauce and finish with garlic bread top.