Meatloaf and Chive Mashers Burger with Grilled Tomato

Pairs well with:

Zinfandel

Bright and full-bodied, this Zinfandel wine is a curious contradiction in tastes.

Ingredients

Mashers-
3 large baking potatoes, peeled and chopped
1 1/2 Tbsp. salt
1/4 cup chives, chopped
1/8 cup mayonnaise
8 oz creme fraiche
Meatloaf-
2 Tbsp. butter
1 large onion, finely chopped
2 cloves of garlic, minced
2 Tbsp. Italian seasoning
3 Tbsp. tomato paste
2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. pepper
3 Tbsp. Sutter Home Zinfandel
2 pounds ground chuck
2/3 cup plain breadcrumbs
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 eggs
vegetable oil for brushing the grill rack
Grilled Tomatoes-
4 firm Roma tomatoes, thickly sliced 1/4
Colavita Light Olive Oil
1 Tbsp salt
2 Tbsp sugar
12 slices of medium cut french bread

 

Instructions

Prepare a medium-hot fire in a charcoal grill with a cover, or preheat a gas grill to medium-high. To make the mashers, place the chopped potatoes and salt in a fire safe stock pot and bring to a boil, using the center of the grill rack. Boil until tender, about 20 minutes. Drain well and add potatoes back into the hot pot. Mix the chives, mayonaisse and creme fraiche with a potato masher until well blended. Cover and keep warm. To make the meatloaf, heat butter in a fire safe skillet until melted. Add the onions and garlic and saute on medium until soft and tender, about 10 minutes. Add the Italian seasoning, tomato paste, salt, pepper, and Zinfandel and mix to combine. Set aside to cool. Once cooled add the onion mixture to the ground chuck, then mix with the breadcrumbs, heavy cream and eggs. Handling the mixture as little as possible to avoid compacting it, mix well. Form into 6 oval shaped patties. Brush the grill rack with oil and place the patties on the grill and cover for 4 minutes. Flip the burgers and cook for another 4 minutes. When done, cover and keep warm. To make the grilled tomatoes, place sliced tomatoes on a plate and drizzle with olive oil. Mix the salt and sugar together and evenly sprinkle on all tomatoes. Place on the grill and cook for 2 minutes per side. Set aside. At the same time, place the sliced bread on the grill to toast. To assemble, take bottom slice of bread and cover with a medium layer of the chive mashers. Place a patty on top and finish with 2-3 slices of grilled tomato. Put the top slice of bread on and serve warm. Serves 6.