Spicy Bloody Mary Burgers with Roasted Tomato Ketchup

Pairs well with:

Merlot

Get cozy and get pouring. Our Merlot is the wine for long weekends and lengthy chats.

I was enjoying a spicy Bloody Mary one day and thought the ingredients found in the drink would make for a great burger and I was right.

Ingredients:

2 pints Nature Sweet Cherry tomatoes

2 medium size celery stalks with tops, each cut into 3 piece

10 medium un-peeled garlic cloves

2 tablespoons Colavita extra virgin olive oil, divided

2 teaspoons Kosher salt, divided

3 tablespoons tomato paste

2 tablespoons vodka

2 teaspoons prepared horseradish

1 teaspoon Tabasco hot sauce

1/4 teaspoon celery seed

2 hearts of romaine lettuce, halved lengthwise

2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

1/4 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper

2-1/4 pounds fresh ground chuck(80% lean)

1/3 cup drained chopped pimento stuffed green olives

2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

1 tablespoon unsalted butter, soften

6 large Kaiser rolls, split

Instructions:

Preheat a standard outdoor grill to medium-high direct heat. For roasted tomato ketchup, place tomatoes, celery and garlic onto a medium rimmed heavy baking sheet, drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil and sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt; toss to coat and spread mixture out onto baking sheet. Place baking sheet on grill rack, cover with lid and roast 30 minutes turning once halfway through roasting. Discard celery and squeeze garlic into food processor. Add tomatoes and their juices to food processor along with tomato paste, vodka, horseradish, hot sauce, and celery seed; puree until smooth. Set aside.

Meanwhile in a small bowl whisk remaining olive oil, lemon juice and pepper. Brush all over romaine hearts, place on grill rack and sear slightly all over turning often. about 4 minutes. Transfer to cutting surface, rough chop and set aside.

In a large bowl mix ground chuck, olives, Worcestershire sauce and remaining salt. Divide into 6 portions then form into patties. Grill patties on medium-high direct heat on one side until golden and seared about 4 to 5 minutes, turn patties over and cook until desired degree of doneness about 4 minutes more. Spread butter on cut side of rolls and lightly toast cut sides during the last 2 minutes of grilling.

To serve spread 1-1/2 tablespoons tomato ketchup on cut side of roll tops. Place burger on roll bottoms, top with lettuce and last add roll tops. Serves 6.