Born in Berkeley Burgers (winning Beef Burger)

Recipe courtesy Camilla Saulsbury, Nacogdoches, Texas

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Rated 5 stars out of 5
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  • Read 16 Reviews
Total Time:
1 hr 10 min
Prep
1 hr 0 min
Cook
10 min
Yield:
6 burgers
Level:
Intermediate
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Ingredients

For the patties:

  • 2 pounds ground chuck
  • 3/4 cup packed fresh basil leaves, chopped
  • 3/4 cup drained and chopped sun-dried tomatoes, packed in oil
  • 1/2 cup grated onion
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced or pressed
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt

For the Lemon-Grilled Fennel:

  • 3 medium-sized lemons, preferably Meyer lemons
  • 4 medium-sized fennel bulbs, tops removed, sliced into rings
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil (recommended: Colavita)
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 12 slices thick-cut black pepper bacon or regular thick-cut bacon

For the Arugula-Fig Topping:

  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
  • 4 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
  • 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil (recommended: Colavita)
  • Salt
  • 6 fresh figs, stemmed and sliced lengthwise
  • 3 cups pre-washed bagged baby arugula, roughly torn
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons vegetable oil, for brushing on the grill rack
  • 3/4 pound aged Teleme cheese (semi-soft cheese made in northern California), sliced thinly (Camembert or Brie may be substituted)
  • 6 good-quality hamburger buns, split

Directions

Prepare a medium-hot fire in a charcoal grill with a cover, or preheat a gas grill to medium-high.

For the patties:

Combine the chuck, basil, sun-dried tomatoes, onion, garlic, and salt in a large bowl, handling as little as possible. Shape into 6 patties to fit the bun size. Loosely cover with plastic wrap and set aside.

For the fennel:

Grate 2 teaspoons zest from the lemons. Juice the lemons to yield 2 tablespoons juice. Put the fennel rings in a medium-sized bowl and toss with the lemon juice, oil, and salt. Put the fennel in a grill basket and grill, shaking the basket occasionally, until soft, 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer the fennel to a sheet of foil, sprinkle with the lemon zest, and wrap to keep warm.

Heat a large, heavy nonstick fire-proof skillet on the grill. Add the bacon and cook until crisp. Transfer to paper towels to drain. Wrap in foil to keep warm.

For the topping:

Drain off the bacon fat from the skillet, wipe out the skillet with paper towels, and set the skillet back on the grill. Add the walnuts to the skillet and toast until golden and fragrant; set aside.

Whisk the vinegar with the oil in a small bowl and season with salt, to taste. Combine the figs, arugula, and toasted walnuts in a medium bowl. Toss with just enough dressing to coat.

When the grill is ready, brush the grill rack with vegetable oil. Place the patties on the rack, cover, and cook, turning once, until done to preference, 5 to 7 minutes on each side for medium. Place the cheese slices on the patties during the last 3 minutes of grilling. Place the buns, cut side down, on the outer edges of the rack to toast lightly during the last 2 minutes of grilling.

To assemble the burgers, place equal portions of the warm grilled fennel on each bun bottom, followed by a cheese-topped patty, 2 bacon slices, and an equal portion of the fig-arugula topping. Add the bun tops and serve.

* Guest Recipe

A viewer or guest of the show, who may not be a professional cook, provided this recipe. The Food Network Kitchens have not tested this recipe and therefore cannot make representation as to the results.

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Newest Ratings and Reviews

Read all 16 reviews

  • on October 19, 2011

    Flag

    My vegetarian version: I used the sun-dried tomato and basil Gardenburger. Fresh figs are no where to be found so I used dried, bummer - but they still taste good :- I used laughing cow Swiss cheese, cuz it was in my fridge. I left out the bacon and all I have to say, putting this all together on a toasted potato bun - YUM! I am definitely going to make this again! The flavors all together are WONDERFUL :-

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  • on March 25, 2011

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    I have just made it for dinner. My wife and my kids love it -- full of flavor. The ingredients are little bit pricey. I cut down the fresh basil (the kids are not into basil and used dried figs (out of season, yet it still turned out great. Though it takes a while to prepare the ingredients, but it's worth trying.

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  • on July 09, 2010

    Flag

    I love Camilla's receipes. This burger is so tasty and full of flavor. I didn't use as much fennel but it still came out delicious. Also, I have to suggest using the best brie possible. I cannot say enough wonderful things about this recipe. Just perfect!

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