Burger all'Italiana

      Last year, McDonald introduced a new line of burgers in Italy appropriately named McItaly.  In the vegetarian version, they use an artichoke spread and Asiago cheese and in the beefy one, onions and smoked pancetta.  I would like to suggest McDonald my version of Burger all’Italiana. 

All photos - Copyright - ©2011 - La Casa e Il Giardino – picasaweb

Burgers cooking on a cast iron grill

Green, white and red (colors of the Italian flag)

Instead of a spread or sliced tomatoes, I use roasted peppers seasoned with extra-virgin olive oil, fresh parsley and minced garlic served on crusty bread baguette.

Burgers

720 g / 1 1/2 lb lean ground beef (I prefer ground chuck)
1 bread baguette, cut in half
salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Preheat the  barbecue.  No barbecue, preheat a seasoned, cast iron grill.
Lightly oil the barbecue grill or the cast iron grill and cook the burgers for about 8 to 10 minutes on each side.   Not sure if done, check the internal temperature of the meat with an instant-read thermometer. It is done when the temperature is 70°C / 160°F. 
Cut the baguette into 4 pieces.  Cut each piece in half horizontally.  Place the burger in the baguette and pile on the roasted peppers.

       

Not only it's delicious, it's healthy.

SUSTAINABLE EATING - Leftover Turkey Burgers

Bored of leftover turkey sandwiches?  Why not try these healthy turkey burgers.

I

Ingredients
4 tablespoons of olive oil
1 green and 1 red pepper finely chopped
6 scallions finely chopped or red onion
1 1/2 pounds ground turkey or fresh turkey meat
2 medium eggs slightly beaten
2 tablespoons of parsley chopped
1/2 cup bread crumbs

Colorful chopped onions and peppers being sauteed

Procedure

In a food processor, finely grind the leftover turkey (white and dark meat).

In a small pan, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil, sauté scallions and peppers (about 6 to 10 minutes).  Set aside to cool off for few minutes.

Add the pepper and scallion mixture into the ground turkey.  Mix well.  Add the eggs and parsley and continue to mix well.

Place the breadcrumbs on a piece of wax paper.  Take enough of the turkey mixture to make a burger.  Place the burger on the breadcrumbs and press lightly.  Turn over and do the same.
In a non-stick frying pan, add the additional oil and sauté' the burgers few at a time, turning once with a spatula. Approximately 10 minutes. Serve.

turkey burgers before sauteing