Touch of Italy Burger

Pairs well with:

Zinfandel

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

Ingredients

3/4 cup Sun dried Tomatoes – not in oil
1 1/2 cup Sutter Home White Merlot Wine
1 clove Garlic – chopped
1/4 teaspoon Kosher Salt
1 1/2 Tablespoon Balsamic Vinegar
1 1/2 pound Ground Chuck
1/4 cup shredded Asiago, Romano, and Parmesan Cheese Blend
1 1/2 teaspoon Kosher Salt
2 teaspoon coarse ground Black Pepper
12 pieces thin sliced Pancetta
6 oz Asiago Cheese – Sliced
6 Focaccia Rolls or 1 loaf Focaccia Bread
1/4 cup Olive Oil
1 Bag Italian Salad Mix – Romaine Lettuce and Radicchio
Purple (or Red) Onion – Sliced

 

Instructions

For Sun dried Tomato Spread: Preheat grill to medium heat. Add sun dried tomatoes and White Merlot wine to small fire-proof sauce pan and place on grill. Cook on grill until wine is reduced by half: 20-30 minutes. After wine has been reduced, remove from heat and stir in chopped garlic clove and 1/4 tsp salt. Allow mixture to cool for 5 – 10 minutes and stir in balsamic vinegar. Blend mixture in blender or small food processor until finely blended. Set aside.

For Patties: Preheat grill to medium-high. Place Ground Chuck in mixing bowl. Add shredded cheese blend, salt, and black pepper. Mix with hands until all ingredients are blended. Make 6 thin patties. Place patties on plate, cover with plastic wrap, and set aside. Place pancetta slices on grill. Cook pancetta for 5-6 minutes, flipping every 30-45 seconds, or until medium brown in color.

Remove Pancetta from grill, place on plate and set aside. Place meat patties on grill where pancetta was previously cooked. Cook patties for 3-5 minutes on each side, flipping only once. Add sliced Asiago cheese to patties during last 3 minutes of cooking. Remove patties from grill, place on plate, and set aside. Brush inside of Focaccia Buns with Olive oil and place on grill cut side down.
Grill for 1-2 minutes, or until slightly toasted. Remove from grill.

Spread a heavy layer of sun dried tomato spread on each side of Focaccia bun. Place meat patty on top of bottom half of bun. Add 2 slices of pancetta on top of patty. Add Romaine, Radicchio, and Purple Onion slice on top of Pancetta. Place top half of bun on top.