Mozzarella-Stuffed Turkey Burgers
(from schultzmo’s recipe box)
Source: iVillage
Prep time: 50 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Serves 4 people
Categories: haven't tried this yet!
Ingredients
- 2 tsp. EVOO
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups plum tomatoes, chopped, with juices
- 6 oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, drained and finely chopped
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. black pepper
- 2 tbsp. fresh basil, chopped
- 1 lb. ground turkey
- 1/4 cup scallions, finely chopped
- 2 tsp. garlic, minced
- 2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp. lemon zest, freshly grated
- 1/2 tsp. dried oregano
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella, part-skim
- 2 tbsp. fresh basil, finely chopped
- 4 slices focaccia bread, 4-inch-square slices, toasted
Directions
-
•1 To prepare marinara: Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, cover and cook, stirring frequently, until translucent, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in fresh tomatoes and any juices, sun-dried tomatoes, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes have broken down, 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in basil and remove from the heat. Transfer to a food processor and pulse to form a coarse-textured sauce. Return to the pan and set aside.
-
•2 To prepare burgers: Place turkey, scallions, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, lemon zest, oregano, 1/2 teaspoon pepper and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a large bowl. Gently combine, without overmixing, until evenly incorporated. Form into 8 thin patties about 4-inches wide and 3/8 inch thick.
-
•3 Combine 1/4 cup cheese and basil and place an equal amount in the center of 4 patties. Cover with the remaining patties and crimp the edges closed.
-
•4 Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat (see Grilling Variation). Add burgers and cook, turning once, until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the center registers 165°F, 8 to 10 minutes total.
-
•5 Warm the marinara on the stove. To assemble the burgers, spread 3 tablespoons of marinara on each toasted focaccia, top with a burger, about 3 more tablespoons of marinara and 1 tablespoon of the remaining cheese. Grilling Variation: To grill the turkey burgers, preheat a grill to medium-high. Oil the grill rack. Grill the patties, turning once, until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the center registers 165°F, 8 to 10 minutes total.