Mediterranean Burger with Ground Chuck, Roasted Tomatoes, Parmesan Sauce and Balsamic Drizzle

“Burgers are iconic. They symbolize what amounts to a mantra: informality, hearty appetite, good times and the inclusion of all.” ~Rachael Ray

 A delicious Mediterranean burger with rich, flavorful toppings

Hamburgers, for me, are truly a sign of summer.  I only like them when they are enveloped with that charred goodness that comes from the barbeque.  A great hamburger is perfection.

If anyone follows Rachael Ray, they certainly know that she is obsessed with burgers.  She even has a cookbook by that name. So, when I wanted something different, I knew where to turn.

The flavors of Italy are very popular in my family.  We love parmesan cheese, roasted tomatoes and balsamic vinegar.  Pairing these flavorful ingredients with a hamburger is amazing.  Get ready to indulge yourself with this Mediterranean burger.

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.

Place a cooling rack on top of a sheet pan.  Slice your tomatoes ¼” thick and place them on top of the cooling rack.  Drizzle the tomatoes with extra virgin olive oil and sprinkle them with kosher salt.  Roast for 45 minutes.

While the tomatoes are roasting, make the delicious creamy cheese sauce.

Melt the butter in a medium sized saucepan.  Add the garlic and sauté for 1 minute.  Stir in the flour and cook for another minute.

Whisk in the milk and cook until small bubbles for around the edge of the pan.

Add the salt and pepper and cook until thick.  Stir in the grated parmesan cheese.

Pour ½ cup of balsamic vinegar into a small saucepan.  Cook over medium heat until syrupy.

Season the ground chuck with salt and pepper to taste.  Form into 4 burger patties.  I learned from Rachael that the center of the hamburger should be thinner than the edges for more even cooking.

Grill the hamburgers to your degree of doneness. Toast the hamburger rolls.

Mediterranean Burger Assemblage:
Place some lettuce on the bun bottom.  Put a burger on top of the lettuce and put cheese sauce on top of the burger.

Put a roasted tomato on top of the cheese sauce, scatter on some chopped basil and let the balsamic glaze drizzle down over all that deliciousness.

Crown with the top of the bun.

Ground Chuck Burger with Roasted Tomatoes, Parmesan Sauce and Balsamic Drizzle

By Patricia Rio Published: August 2, 2013

• Mediterranean Burger with Ground Chuck, Roasted Tomatoes, Parmesan Sauce and Balsamic Drizzle

  • 5.00 / 5 5
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  1 vote, 5.00 avg. rating (98% score)
• Yield: 4 Servings
• Prep: 30 mins
• Cook: 10 mins
• Ready In: 40 mins

Recipe courtesy of Rachael Ray's The Book of Burger

Ingredients

• 3 whole vine ripened tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
• 0 salt and pepper to taste
• 1 1/2 pounds ground chuck
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 whole garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons white flour
• 3/4 cup whole or 2% milk
• 1/3 cup parmesano reggiano cheese, grated
• 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
• leaf lettuce
• 4 whole hamburger buns
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.
   
2. Place a cooling rack on top of a sheet pan. Slice your tomatoes ¼” thick and place them on top of the cooling rack. Drizzle the tomatoes with extra virgin olive oil and sprinkle them with kosher salt. Roast for 45 minutes.
   
3. Melt the butter in a medium sized saucepan. Add the garlic and sauté for 1 minute. Stir in the flour and cook for another minute.
   
4. Whisk in the milk and cook until small bubbles for around the edge of the pan.
   
5. Add the salt and pepper and cook until thick. Stir in the grated parmesan cheese.
   
6. Pour ½ cup of balsamic vinegar into a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat until syrupy.
   
7. Season the ground chuck with salt and pepper to taste. Form into 4 patties. I learned from Rachael that the center of the hamburger should be thinner than the edges for more even cooking.
   
8. Grill the hamburgers to your degree of doneness. Toast the hamburger rolls.
   
9. Place some lettuce on the bun bottom. Put a burger on top of the lettuce and put cheese sauce on top of the burger.
   
10. Put a roasted tomato on top of the cheese sauce, scatter on some chopped basil and let the balsamic glaze drizzle down over all that deliciousness.
    
11. Crown with the top of the bun. Enjoy!!