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a roasted tomato caprese burger with an oversized burger, on a grilled roll, being held outside
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Roasted Tomato Caprese Burger

A twist on traditional caprese salad. A seasoned pork burger with roasted tomato, mozzarella, basil and balsamic on toasted focaccia
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Servings: 4 people
Author: Melissa Reome

Ingredients

Pork "meatball" burger

  • 16 oz ground pork
  • 1/2 cup italian bread crumbs
  • 1 small onion minced
  • 1 tsp italian seasonings
  • 1 egg large
  • 1 clove garlic finely minced
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley finely chopped
  • 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes optional
  • 1 tsp black pepper fresh ground
  • 1/2 tsp table salt
  • 1/4 cup whole milk
  • 1/4 cup Pecorino-Romano or Parmesan cheese fresh grated

Grilled tomato

  • 1 ripe tomato sliced
  • 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper, fresh ground

Other toppings

  • 6 oz fresh mozzarella sliced and pat dry with paper towel
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
  • 3 tbsp balsamic glaze (balsamic reduction) (glaze is available to at many stores or mix 1 cup balsamic vinegar with 1/4 cup brown sugar. Heat to boil in saucepan, reduce by half. Cool and refrigerate until needed)
  • 6 slices focaccia bread or bread of choice
  • 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (for toasting bread on grill and to drizzle on mozzarella)

Instructions

Make pork burger patties

  • Combine bread crumbs with egg and milk until mixed. Let sit 2 minutes
  • Add all other ingredients except pork to egg mixture. Mix until combined.
    Egg and breadcrumb mixture
  • Gently incorporate mixture into ground pork.
    Mixing pork
  • Form into 4 equal sized burgers
  • Preheat grill to medium-high and oil grill grate. Set up for 2 zone cooking (direct and indirect)
  • Start burgers over direct heat 4 minutes or until browned. Flip once and top with mozzarella. Grill other side for about 4 minutes with lid down on grill. If burger is browned enough, move to indirect side of grill. Remove from grill when cheese is melted and internal temp is at least 160°F.

Grilled/roasted tomato

  • Drizzle olive oil over thick slices of tomato and season with salt and pepper.
    Grill pork burgers and tomato
  • Grill over indirect heat just until softened while burgers are cooking. Time will depend on exact heat of grill, but you are looking for them to still maintain shape but be softened (as if roasted). Remove from grill.
    Pork burgers topped with fresh mozzarella

Toast bread

  • Drizzle olive oil on cut side of bread and grill over direct heat until lightly browned
    Slice focaccia,drizzle with olive oil then grill

Assemble burger

  • Place burger patty on bread, top with grilled tomato, drizzle small amount with balsamic glaze and top with fresh basil
  • Serve immediately
    a roasted tomato caprese burger with an oversized burger, on a grilled roll, being held outside