Lemongrass Pita Burger with Grilled Rosemary Vegetables

Pairs well with:

White Merlot

Imagine sipping a lighter Merlot. This fresh, pale-pink wine is a nice change from traditional red or white wines.

Ingredients

Ingredients for 6 burgers
Patties:
1 3/4lbs. ground round
¾ tsp. salt
½ tsp. white pepper
1/4 cup finely minced lemongrass
1 Tbls. finely chopped parsley non-stick spray for grill rack
1 recipe grilled vegetables
1 recipe Zesty Lemon Aioli
3 each whole Pita bread, cut in 1/2
Grilled Vegetables:
¼ cup olive oil
2 tsp. rosemary, finely minced
2 each cloves of garlic, finely minced
zest and juice of 1 lemon
½ tsp. salt
1 zucchini, cut in half crosswise, then each half cut lengthwise into 3rds for a total of 6 pieces
1 large red onion, peeled, and sliced into 6 portions, a wooden skewer stuck through the onion will prevent the rings from coming apart when cooking.
2 red bell peppers, cut into quarters, and seeded.
Zesty Lemon Aioli:
½ Tbls. finely chopped parsley
1 cloves garlic, finely minced
Zest and juice of 1/2 lemons
1/4 tsp. salt
dash of hot sauce
 ½ cup mayonnaise

 

Instructions

Directions: 1. In a medium sized bowl, combine the ground round, 1 ½ tsp. salt, white pepper, minced lemongrass, and 1 Tablespoon parsley. Gently combine all ingredients, working meat as little as possible. 2. Form the beef mixture into 6 ½ moon patties. Place in refrigerator until ready to grill. To Prepare Grilled Rosemary Vegetables: 1 Combine in a small bowl ¼ cup olive oil, 2 tsp. of the finely minced rosemary, 2 cloves of the finely minced garlic, zest and juice of 1 lemon and ½ tsp. salt. 2. Place the cut up vegetables in this mixture and marinate until ready to grill. To Prepare Rosemary Lemon Mayonnaise: 1 .In a small bowl, combine all ingredients for the mayonnaise and mix thoroughly. Place in refrigerate until ready to serve. To prepare Hamburgers: 1. Preheat the grill to medium heat (300-350°F) and spray the grate with non-stick spray. 2. Place prepared hamburgers on the grill and grill to desired doneness. For medium burgers, grill 8 minutes on first side and 4 to 6 minutes on second side. 3. While hamburgers are grilling, add the marinated vegetables on the grill and grill until tender crisp, taking care not to burn them or allow onion to fall apart. 4. Place the Pita on the grill to heat up. To Serve: Spread 1 Tablespoon of Zesty Lemon Aioli in each pita, then add one hamburger “moon” to each pita. Now divide the vegetables up and place into the pita, be sure and remove the toothpicks from the onions. Serve.