Jo Pratt's Italian Burgers

Name: Jo Pratt's Italian Burgers
Yield: 8
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1kg beef mince (not extra-lean. as you need the fat to keep the burgers moist and add flavour); 3 garlic cloves. peeled and chopped; 1 red or white onion. finely chopped; 1 egg. lightly beaten; 50g fresh white breadcrumbs; 2 tbsp sun-dried tomato purÃƒ©e; 50g grated Parmesan cheese; 50g pitted black olives. finely chopped; 2 tbsp chopped basil; 8 burger buns or ciabatta rolls; 1 medium bunch basil leaves; 2-3 large beef tomatoes. sliced; 1 red onion. cut into rings; Shavings of Parmesan cheese

Over a year ago 3,664 views

Serves: 8

Italian Main Course 🔥 Barbeque

Ingredients

1kg beef mince (not extra-lean. as you need the fat to keep the burgers moist and add flavour)
3 garlic cloves. peeled and chopped
1 red or white onion. finely chopped
1 egg. lightly beaten
50g fresh white breadcrumbs
2 tbsp sun-dried tomato purÃƒ©e
50g grated Parmesan cheese
50g pitted black olives. finely chopped
2 tbsp chopped basil
8 burger buns or ciabatta rolls
1 medium bunch basil leaves
2-3 large beef tomatoes. sliced
1 red onion. cut into rings
Shavings of Parmesan cheese

Accompaniment

Method

1
To prepare the burgers, place all the ingredients in a large bowl with salt and freshly ground black pepper, and mix until well combined.

I find it best to squish everything together using your hands. Yes, it's messy, but it's a lot quicker.

Shape the mixture into 8 burgers and place in the fridge for half an hour or so to firm up.

When you're ready to cook the burgers, make sure the barbecue is nice and hot (the coals should be glowing white). Brush the rack with olive oil and cook the burgers for 8 minutes, turning every minute or so.

Once the burgers are cooked, lightly toast the bread on the barbecue and layer up with the basil leaves, tomato slices, burgers, onion rings and Parmesan. Serve straight away.

Chef's Tips

You can modify this recipe by replacing the purée, Parmesan, olives and basil with the suggestions below:

INDIAN SPICED BURGERS: Add 2tbsp mango chutney, 2tbsp chopped coriander, 1tsp ground cumin, 1tsp ground coriander, 1 chopped chilli, 2cm peeled grated ginger and 1/2tsp ground turmeric.

CHILLI CON CARNE BURGERS: Add 400g tin kidney beans (mashed), 1tsp ground coriander, 2tbsp chopped coriander, 1tbsp cocoa powder, 2 chopped chillies.

GREEK BURGERS: Add 3tbsp finely chopped black olives, 100g crumbled feta cheese, 1tsp ground cumin, 1tsp ground coriander, 2tbsp chopped fresh oregano or 2tsp dried oregano.