Summer “Brie-ze” Basil Burgers with Pesto Mayo

Pairs well with:

Chardonnay

Reach for our Chardonnay when you’re in the mood for a rich and creamy wine that delights with the fruity flair of pear, apple, and peach.

Ingredients:

Pesto Mayonnaise
2/3 cup mayonnaise
½ cup fresh basil, coarsely chopped
2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Patties
1 pound ground chuck
1 pound ground sirloin
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon fresh cracked pepper
¼ cup finely chopped fresh basil
¼ cup Italian bread crumbs
2 tablespoon tomato paste
2 tablespoons Lea and Perrins Worcestershire sauce
2 – 3 gloves garlic, minced
8 – 10 ounces Brie cheese,

2 -3 tablespoons Vegetable oil

6 high quality hamburger buns
6red leaf lettuce leaves
6 tomato slices
6 very thin slices of red onion
6 fresh basil sprigs, for garnish

Instructions:

Pesto Mayonnaise: Combine the mayonnaise, basil, mustard and cayenne pepper in a blender and puree until smooth and well blended. Transfer to a small mixing bowl. Keep the pesto mayo covered in the refrigerator until ready to assemble the burgers. The pesto mayonnaise can be prepared up to a day in advance.

Patties: In a large mixing bowl combine the beef, salt, pepper, basil, onion, bread crumbs, tomato paste Worcestershire sauce and garlic. Gently mix the beef and other ingredients until well blended. Take care not to over work the beef. Divide the beef into 12 equal portions. Flatten each portion of beef into evenly sized patties. Remove the rind from the cheese and cut into 6 slices or 6 even proportions of cheese. Evenly top 6 of the patties with Brie cheese. Top each bottom patty and cheese with the remaining 6 patties. Use your fingers to pinch the outer edges of each patty, forming a seal. Place the patties on a plate and cover with plastic wrap until ready to cook.

Grilling the burgers: Preheat a gas grill to medium-high heat or prepare a medium-hot charcoal grill with a cover. Brush the grill with the vegetable oil. Place the brie burgers on the grill rack and cover the grill. Cook the burgers 5 to 7 minutes on each side for medium doneness. Turn the hamburgers over only once throughout the cooking process. Place the brie burgers on a serving platter and cover with aluminum foil. Set aside until ready to assemble the burgers. Place the buns, cut side down on the grill and toast until the buns are light brown. Remove buns and begin to assemble the burgers.

Assembling the hamburgers: Spread about 1 tablespoon of the basil mayonnaise on the top and bottom of each bun. Add a hamburger patty to each bun bottom. Top each brie burger with a lettuce leaf, tomato slice, onion ring and the top side of the bun. Garnish with a spring of fresh basil. Serve immediately.

Makes 6 brie burgers.