We are kicking of this new season with one of our favorite dishes of the summer – and what better day to celebrate our return but with Mozzarella Stuffed Burgers with all the trimmings this Labor Day!
Traditionally, Labor Day marks the end of the summer with the last BBQ before the Fall weather begins…..but here in California we will probably be grilling for a few more months this year and today the weather is just shy of 100°F!
This year we are praying in some rain and Fall-like weather – I long for some cozy Fall afternoons snuggled on a couch drinking a pumpkin spice latte while the rain pours outside! Please God let this be the year!
In the meantime I wanted to share this recipe for Mozzarella Stuffed Burgers with all the trimmings – this has been a regular visitor in our house this summer! We always like to find new uses for freezer staples such as ground beef and ground turkey and this was one of those perfect solutions.
Ingredients:
Makes 2 extra-large (or 4 regular) burger patties
1lb ground beef
2 tbsp garlic salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 1/2 tbsp basil
1/2 tsp ground mustard
2 thick slices mozzarella cheese
Trimmings:
Bread rolls or Iceberg lettuce leaves
2 oz sliced mushrooms
1/2 red onion, sliced
1 avocado, sliced
mustard/mayo/ketchup – optional
Directions:
In a bowl add the ground beef and seasonings and mix well.
Divide the ground beef into 2 or 4 balls and form burger patties using your hands.
Make a small indent in the center of the burger making sure not to go all the way through the patty.
Insert the mozzarella slice into the indent (you may need to cut the cheese into smaller pieces)
Cover over the indent with the ground beef making sure the cheese is completely covered in a think layer of meat.
Place in a hot pan and cook for a few minutes and then turn over, repeat this step until cooked thoroughly.
In a separate pan, cook the onions and mushrooms until soft and set aside.
To assemble the burgers:
For a burger in a bun:
Place the cooked patty on the bread, add the onions, mushrooms, lettuce, avocado and any additional garnishes.
For a protein style burger (no bread):
Place 3 iceberg lettuce leaves on a plate so that they are overlapping, place the patty on top of the center leaf and then add the onions, mushrooms and avocado, and any additional garnishes. Wrap the patty in the lettuce and secure (if necessary) with a toothpick.
Captain America & His English Rose 