Italian Burger

Ingredients

• 0.33 cube yeast
• 1 tsp sugar
• 250 g flour (plus a little more for handling)
• 1.5 tbsp milk
• 5 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 small apple
• 1 onion
• 100 g tomato paste
• 1 pinch cinnamon
• 4 tbsp balsamic vinegar (e.g., Aceto Balsamico di Modena from Mazzetti L'Originale)
• 2 yellow bell peppers
• 400 g ground beef
• a dash of Tabasco
• 1 Red Onion
• 100 g Gorgonzola cheese
• Salt
• freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

1. 1.

   Dissolve yeast and ½ tsp sugar in 125 ml lukewarm water. Add flour and ½ tsp salt to a bowl, create a small well, pour the yeast mixture in, cover and let rest for about 10 minutes.

2. 2.

   Add milk and 1 tbsp oil, knead into a smooth dough. Cover with a damp kitchen towel and let rise for about 30 minutes in a warm place.

3. 3.

   Meanwhile, for the tomato-balsamic sauce, peel, quarter, core and dice the apple. Peel and finely dice the white onion. In a pot, simmer onion and apple with balsamic vinegar for about 8 minutes until soft. Add tomato paste and cinnamon, puree finely. Season with ½ tsp sugar, salt, and pepper.

4. 4.

   Preheat oven grill to its highest setting. Divide dough into four portions, shape into ciabatta rolls. Place on parchment-lined tray, cover and let rise another 15 minutes in a warm spot.

5. 5.

   During this time, wash bell peppers, cut into halves and remove seeds. Place cut side down on a lightly greased baking sheet. Grill on the top rack of the oven grill for about 10 minutes until skin turns brown. Let cool slightly.

6. 6.

   Switch oven to 220 °C (convection). Dust rolls with flour. Fill a small oven-safe bowl with water, place in oven. Bake rolls on middle rack for about 20 minutes until crisp and golden.

7. 7.

   Season ground beef with salt, pepper, and Tabasco. With damp hands shape into four patties. Place on parchment and refrigerate until ready to cook.

8. 8.

   Peel red onion and slice thin rings. Slice Gorgonzola into four pieces. Horizontally split rolls and spread tomato-balsamic sauce on both halves.

9. 9.

   Heat remaining oil in a pan. Cook patties 2–3 minutes per side. Assemble burger: place grilled pepper, red onions, patty, and Gorgonzola slice on the bottom half of the roll; drizzle with extra balsamic vinegar if desired. Cover, cut crosswise, and serve.