Ingredients
Italian Herb Butter:
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil leaves
- 1/8 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
- 2 tablespoons chopped shallot
- 1 clove garlic, chopped
- 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 1/2 sticks good quality unsalted butter, room temperature
Frico:
Crispy Speck:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 ounces speck (smoked prosciutto), thinly sliced and finely chopped
Patties:
- 1/4 pound dry, hot capicola (coppa), thinly sliced and chopped (recommended: Boar's Head)
- Pinch fresh rosemary leaves, finely chopped
- 1 1/4 pounds ground chuck
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 6 ounces shredded fontina cheese
- 4 potato buns, split
- 4 teaspoons toasted pine nuts
- 1 cup wild arugula (or baby arugula), lightly packed
Directions
Italian Herb Butter:
In the bowl of a food processor, combine the parsley, basil, thyme, shallot, garlic, lemon juice, and Dijon mustard and puree until smooth. Add the butter and pulse until well combined. Transfer to a small bowl and reserve.
Frico:
Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle 1/2 of the cheese into 2 to circles (approximately 4 1/2-inch in diameter) in the skillet. Cook for 2 minutes. Then carefully flip with a spatula and cook for another 1 minute. Drain on paper towels. Repeat with remaining 1/2 of the cheese.
Meanwhile, to make the speck, heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the speck and cook until crispy, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Remove from the skillet and drain on paper towels.
To make the patties, put capicola and rosemary in the bowl of a food processor and pulse until finely chopped. In a large mixing bowl, combine the capicola mixture, chuck, salt, and pepper; mix well. Separate the mixture into 4 equal portions and form the portions into patties to fit the size of the buns.
Heat large skillet or grill pan over high heat. Add the patties to the skillet and cook for 3 1/2 minutes. Flip the burgers and cook for 3 to 4 minutes or to desired doneness. During the last few minutes of cooking, top the burgers with equal amounts of fontina cheese and tent with aluminum foil to melt cheese. Also, during last few minutes of cooking, toast the buns.
To assemble the burgers, spread a generous amount of Italian Herb Butter on the cut sides of the buns. On each bun bottom, arrange equal amounts of pine nuts, Crispy Speck, arugula, a patty topped with cheese, and a Frico. Cover with the bun tops and serve.
A viewer, who may not be a professional cook, provided this recipe. The Food Network Kitchens chefs cannot make representation as to the results.
Photo: Northern Italian Trattoria Burger Recipe

















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By Happyfrogs
Yukon, OK
on July 03, 2011
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Best burger I have ever eaten!! However, there were a few things I'll change next time to keep the cost down. I'll substitute Mozzarella for the Fontina, Parmesan for the Asiago, spinach leaves for the arugula. I used and 1/4 lb. of ground pork for the Boars head hot capicola which I couldn't find and it was still great. I also used regular prosciutto because I couldn't find smoked. Next time I'll leave off the pine nuts - they didn't add anything and won't be missed. I can't believe he made this in half and hour - it took 2 of us an hour. Michael Cohen, you rock!
By ked1nc
Massillon, OH
on August 19, 2010
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This was absolutely the BEST hamburger I have ever tasted. It has become my go to summer recipe. The first time you make it, it will seem like a lot of steps but it is not hard and SOOOO worth it!
By Chef Mignemi
Arlington, tx
on April 19, 2010
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I made these last night for my wife and my parents - yes, buying the ingredients was a chore, and kinda expensive, but the end result was INCREDIBLE. I bought the Speck at my local Salumeria, and they were impressed that I asked for it - I guess it's an ingredient not too often purchased. It was SO good. I also made garlic and parsley pommes frites with the burger with some summer slaw on the side. To die for.
Read all 19 reviews