Opa! burgers - (winning alternative burger)

1

Ingredients

  • For the mayonnaise/cheese mixture:

  • 120ml mayonnaise
  • 50g roasted red peppers, chopped
  • 250g goat feta cheese, crumbled
  • 100g chopped kalamata olives

  • For the burgers:

  • 250ml Shiraz
  • 15g dried porcini mushrooms
  • 1kg lamb mince
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/4 tsp crushed red chilli flakes
  • 2 tsps salt
  • 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • Extra-virgin olive oil, for brushing griddle rack
  • 6 Italian-style bolo rolls or other rustic baps, split
  • 12 thin slices sopressata, Italian salami variety
  • 100g loosely packed baby spinach leaves
  • 6 large tomato slices
  • Mayonnaise/cheese mixture, recipe above

Use imperial measurements

Method

How to make Opa! burgers - (winning alternative burger)

Mayonnaise-cheese mixture:
1) Combine the mayonnaise and roasted peppers in a small bowl and mix well. Cover and chill until ready to use.

2) In a separate small bowl, mash the cheese with a fork. Stir in the olives; set aside.

Burgers:
1) Prepare a medium-hot fire in a charcoal griddle with a cover, or preheat a gas griddle to medium-high.

2) Pour the wine into a small, heavy fire-proof saucepan and heat on the griddle until the wine begins to simmer.

3) Remove from the heat and add the dried mushrooms, stirring with a fork to ensure that all the mushrooms are moistened. Set the mushrooms aside to reconstitute for at least 30 minutes.

4) Gently squeeze the excess liquid from the reconstituted mushrooms and chop, using a chef's knife. Transfer to a large bowl. Add the lamb, garlic, oregano, dried chilli flakes, salt and pepper. Form into six equal patties in the shape of the rolls.

5) When the griddle is ready, brush the rack with oil. Place the patties on the griddle, cover and cook for 4 minutes. With a spatula, turn the patties over and cook an additional 4 minutes, or until done to preference. During the last few minutes of griddling, place the rolls, cut side down, on outer edges of griddle to lightly toast.

6) To assemble the burgers, spread the mayonnaise mixture over the bottom roll halves and the cheese mixture over the top halves. Layer the bottom rolls with the patties, sopressata, spinach leaves, tomato slices and roll tops.

Serve immediately.

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