Spicy Three Cheese Herbed Beef Pizza Burgers

Pairs well with:

White Zinfandel

With strawberry and melon essences, this American original is perfectly at home with however you like to unwind.

Ingredients

2 pounds 80/20 organic beef
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
1 large garlic clove, finely minced
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon fennel seed
3 tablespoons shredded parmesan cheese
1/2 cup Italian bread crumbs
1/4 cup Sutter Home Merlot
2 pounds prepared pizza dough, divided into 12 balls
1/4 cup olive oil
1 – 14 ounce can fire roased chopped tomatoes
12 large fresh basil leaves, cut into julienne strips
6 large fresh buffalo mozzarella balls, sliced into 6 thin slices each
6 tablespoons shredded Asiago cheese
1 – 3 ounce package thinly sliced proscuitto ham, cut into julienne slices
2 cups mixed baby greens (such as arugula, spinach and red leaf lettuce)
1/4 cup good quality bottled Italian salad dressing

 

Instructions

In a large bowl combine the beef, salt, pepper, garlic, red pepper, fennel seed, parmesan, bread crumbs and merlot being careful not to over work meat. Divide into 6 equal portions and then form into patties approximately 4” across. Place on a large plate, cover with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for approximately 30 minutes.

While the burgers are chilling, preheat an outdoor gas grill to medium high. Form each of the 12 pizza dough balls into rounds the same size as the burgers. Brush each dough round with a light coating of the olive oil on both sides. Place each of the dough rounds directly onto the preheated grill. Grill for approximately 2 minutes on one side, moving around the grill with tongs to heat evenly if necessary. Remove the dough from the heat, place on a plate and cover loosely to keep from drying out.

Remove the patties from the refrigerator and place onto hot grill. Cook for 5 – 7 minutes on each side or until desired doneness is reached. Remove from grill and place on serving plate and cover snugly with foil so the meat can rest. Quickly clean grill with a grill brush and carefully brush with an oil soaked paper towel.

Just before removing meat from the grill, uncover dough rounds and top the cooked side with equal amounts of the tomatoes (which have been drained slightly with a slotted spoon), basil, mozzarella slices, Asiago, and proscuitto. Place pizza rounds back onto grill, topped side up and cook for approximately 3 minutes being careful not to let them become too brown by moving towards the cooler outside edges of the grill if necessary.

While the pizzas are cooking, place the baby greens in a medium size bowl and toss with the salad dressing.

To assemble burgers, place patties on top of one of the pizzas, top with one sixth of the dressed baby greens and then top with the other pizza. Cut in half if desired and serve immediately.