PARTNER POST — Grilling season is here and it is time to explore Italian grilling with authentic ingredients from Colavita.
Homemade focaccia-like buns, a sun-dried tomato chutney, and fresh ground burgers topped with a garlic infused olive oil makes for an exciting backyard barbecue.
By Michelle Tchea
Nothing says summer like a big, fat juicy burger. I know this may sound ‘ho-hum’, but there’s nothing better than going on a spontaneous weekend getaway and having a gold old fashion, Barbie. Even the most experienced baker and cook needs inspirations in the kitchen, so here is my ultimate – from-scratch burger made with the finest Italian flavours.
I’m seriously going back to basics with this recipe and even making my own burger patties, as well as my own bread! Don’t turn away just yet – making your own bread has its pleasures – there’s nothing better than getting a workout from knocking back your dough for the second rise. Just make sure you use good quality Italian flour – like Colavita’s flour for pizza to get almost a focaccia-like consistency…Bellissimo!
But don’t just stop at the bread: the filling is equally important. Using high-quality meats, freshly ground from your local butcher definitely helps improve any burger, but for special picnics, where you want to show-off your cooking skills among friends, you really need other flavorful ingredients to rival other burgers!
Despite making absolutely everything from scratch in this recipe – yes! From bread rolls to the deliciously sweet and spicy chutney/tomato sauce – everything can be done ahead of time and in no time whatsoever!
All the ingredients in this deliciously juicy burger should be in your well –stocked pantry, but feel free to adapt and replace with any other Colavita item to make this recipe your own!
Grill Like an Italian with Colavita: Ultimate Italian-Inspired Burgers
- Total Time: 2 hours
- Yield: 10–12 small burgers 1x
Description
Homemade focaccia buns, a sun-dried tomato chutney, and fresh ground burgers topped with a garlic infused olive oil makes for an exciting backyard barbecue.
Ingredients
Home-made Sesame Buns
- 500g (approximately 5 cups) bread flour
- 1 envelope of yeast, about 7g dry or 25g fresh
- Approximately 1 1/2 cups (360 ml) water, luke-warm
- 1 egg
- 2 tbsp room temperature butter
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- Sesame seeds, to decorate
Sweet and spicy chutney
- 3 cloves garlic, minced or finely chopped
- 1 can crushed tomato with basil
- 1 tsp Malabar black peppercorn, crushed with a mortar and pestle
- 2 dried chilis, finely chopped or blended
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- 1 handful sun-dried tomatoes in extra virgin olive oil, drained (oil reserved for cooking)
- 2 tbsp white wine vinegar (or balsamic Chardonnay)
Burgers — makes about 10–12 small-sized burgers
- 500g (1 lb) ground beef
- 1 small red onion, peeled and finely chopped
- A handful of breadcrumbs
- 1 tbsp capers, finely chopped
- Sea salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Garlic-infused olive oil, for the grill
To serve
- Homemade burger buns, halved
- Sunny-side-up eggs
- Pickle slices, a handful
- Home-made chutney
Instructions
Home-made Sesame Buns
- Mix and combine the luke-warm water, sugar, and yeast. Stir to dissolve and set aside until the yeast is active.
- Combine the flour and salt with the yeast mixture, then add in the egg and butter. Knead for about 5 minutes, until the dough is springy when touched. Let rise in a warm place, covered with a kitchen towel.
- When doubled in size, knock back and roll into individual rolls. Line on a baking tray and let rise for another 30 minutes.
- Pre-heat the oven to 190°C (375°F). Sprinkle the buns with sesame seeds and bake until golden brown, about 15 minutes.
Sweet and spicy chutney
- Add 1 tbsp of the reserved sun-dried tomato oil and fry off the garlic, peppercorn, and chilis. Add in the chopped sun-dried tomato and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add in the crushed tomato with basil and the white-wine vinegar, which will give a slightly sweet flavour to the sauce. Add a splash of water if it looks a little dry, and the sugar.
- Cook the sauce until sticky and store in a clean jar.
Burgers
- Lightly combine all the burger ingredients together and set aside for at least 15 minutes to let all the flavours infuse.
- When ready to eat, lightly drizzle your garlic-infused olive oil on the hot grill.
- Place the burgers on the grill and cook to your liking — about 3 minutes either side for a medium result.
- Place each burger on a homemade bun (you can lightly grill the buns on the same grill) and top with your favourite toppings — chutney, a sunny-side-up egg, and pickle slices all work wonderfully.
Notes
- Make the chutney and buns a day ahead so burger assembly is quick at serving time.
- Letting the burger mixture rest for 15 minutes before grilling allows the flavours to meld.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main, Burger
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 burger
- Calories: 680
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of flour should I use for the buns?
Use high-quality Italian flour, such as Colavita’s flour for pizza, to achieve a focaccia-like consistency for the buns.
How can I ensure my burger patties have the best flavor?
For optimal flavor, use high-quality meats that are freshly ground from your local butcher when making your burger patties.
What is the purpose of the garlic infused olive oil in the recipe?
The garlic infused olive oil is used to enhance the flavor of the burgers and can be drizzled on top before serving.
