Little Italy Burger

Photo: Sommer

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef

8 slices pancetta

1 jar of good pesto

1 large ball smoked mozzarella

1 red onion, cut into thin rounds

3 tablespoons butter

2 teaspoons tomato paste

1 teaspoon anchovy paste

Baby arugula

Ripe tomato slices

4 ciabatta buns

Preparation

Heat the grill to high. Divide the ground beef into 4 portions. Salt and pepper and press into patties. Layer each patty with a slice of pancetta on top and bottom. Press the pancetta into the patty.

Cut the onion and mozzarella into rounds.

Melt the butter and mix it with the tomato paste and anchovy paste.

Cut the ciabatta buns and brush the insides with tomato-butter.

CAREFULLY brush the grill with oil or use non-stick grill spray. Grill the patties and onions at the same time. Grill the patties for 3-5 minutes per side and the onions for 1-2 minutes per side.

Once you flip the burgers, lay the onion rounds over the top of each patty, followed by the mozzarella slices. The cheese will melt while the burgers finish cooking.

Place the buns on the open grill and toast for 1 minute.

Once the buns are toasted, slather them with pesto. Layer arugula leaves, tomato slices and a patty on each bun. Top and serve! Serves 4.