MEATBALLESQUE STYLE BURGERS WITH A ZESTY RED PEPPER SPREAD SERVED ON PARMESAN BUTTERED ONION ROLLS

Pairs well with:

Gewurztraminer

Hard to pronounce yet easy to drink, this wine combines lychee fruit and white peach flavors with a hint of spice.

Ingredients

1/4 teaspoon Tabasco Sauce
1/2 cup jarred roasted red bell pepper pieces, drained
1 Tablespoon tomato paste
2 Tablespoons Sutter Home Cabernet Sauvignon
1 Tablespoon Colavita Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 1/2 pounds ground beef chuck
1/2 pound sweet Italian sausage, casing removed and broken into 1/2
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup freshly minced basil leaves
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese, divided into thirds
1/2 cup softened unsalted butter
2-3 Tablespoons vegetable oil, for brushing the grill rack
6 onion rolls, split
3 cups baby arugula
6 slices vine ripened tomatoes

 

Instructions

In a small food processor, combine Tabasco, roasted bell peppers, tomato paste, wine and olive oil; puree for about 1 minute until mixture is smooth and creamy. Transfer to a small bowl and set aside.

Preheat a gas grill to medium-high.
To make patties: combine ground chuck, sausage, garlic, basil, salt and 1/3 cup of Parmesan cheese in a large bowl. Handling as little as possible shape into 6 patties. Place patties on a plate to transfer to the grill; set aside for just a moment. In a small bowl, combine 1/3 cup Parmesan with the softened butter; stir to blend well and set aside. Brush grill rack with vegetable oil. Place the patties on the rack, cover, and cook, turning once, 5-7 minutes per side for medium or longer if one desires well done. Using the last 1/3 cup of Parmesan, sprinkle a scant 1 Tablespoon of Parmesan over each burger during the last 2 minutes of grilling. Place the buns, cut side down, on the outer edges of the grill rack during the final minute of grilling to toast to a light golden brown.

To assemble burgers, Brush the toasted halves of the buns with Parmesan butter; line the bottom half of the buns with arugula; then a slice of tomato; followed by the Parmesan crusted burger; spread with red pepper sauce and cover with the top of the bun.