Nostalgia Pizza Burgers

Pairs well with:

Zinfandel

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

Ingredients

1 1/2 lb ground chuck
1/2 lb mild Italian sausage
2 Tb prepared pizza sauce (homemade or bottled)
2 Tb Sutter Home zinfandel
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon garlic powder
salt and pepper to taste
6 oz provolone cheese, grated
18 slices pepperoni

3/8-3/4 cup pizza sauce (as desired)
6 green bell pepper rings
4 oz can sliced mushrooms
4 oz can sliced black olives
6 English muffins, split
6 slices mozzarella cheese (about 6 oz.)
grated parmesan cheese

 

Instructions

Preheat gas grill to medium-high. In a medium-sized bowl, mix ground beef and Italian sausage with 2 Tb pizza sauce, wine, basil, oregano, and garlic. Form into 12 thin patties, sized to fit the English muffins. Lay three slices of pepperoni on patties. Sprinkle cheese evenly over pepperoni. Place remaining beef patties on top of patties with cheese and pepperoni. Seal edges. Season with salt and pepper as desired.

Brush grill rack with vegetable oil. Place the patties on the grill and cook, turning once, until done to your preference (5 to 8 minutes on each side). During the last few minutes of cooking, place the English muffins, cut side down, on the outer edges of the grill to toast lightly. Just before burgers are done, lay a slice of mozzarella on each patty and allow to melt. Remove from heat, top each burger with green pepper ring, and put the mushrooms and black olives inside, dividing among the burgers. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese.

Spread 1 to 2 Tb of pizza sauce on bottom muffin half. Top with burgers and other muffin half. Serves six hungry people. Drink the rest of the Sutter Home zinfandel with burgers.