For Dads Everywhere.

This entry was posted in Savoury and tagged Basil, Beef, Burgers, Cheese, Garlic, Mozzarella Cheese, Onion, Parmesan Cheese, Pesto, Recipe, Tomato on June 19, 2011.

They say that scent is the strongest sense tied to memory. When I think of my dad certain smells indicative of dads everywhere come to mind. Cedar sawdust, freshly mowed grass, crisp soap, gunpowder, campfire smoke, soft leather, pine trees and BBQ. Especially BBQ.

Instead of making a dessert to celebrate Father's Day this year I decided to make something that dads appreciate most. Meat and lots of it. A quarter pound of beef mixed with fresh pesto and grilled to perfection. A dinner any dad would be happy to eat.

Just a little way to say thank you for all the wheelbarrow rides and movie nights. Photography advice and piggy back rides. Butter and sugar on soda crackers. Guitar solos and surround sound. Blueberries and Carnation milk. For patiently sitting through makeovers complete with hair gel and bobby pins. Target practice at the gun club. Grapefruit and Led Zeppelin. Extra rare filet mignon and Lipton noodle packages. Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday.

I love you dad! Happy Father's Day!

Pesto Burgers Makes 6 – 7 burgers.

Source: My imagination.

1 cup fresh basil leaves 2 cloves garlic 2 tbsp pine nuts, toasted 2 tbsp parmesan, grated Black pepper to taste 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

2 lbs ground beef 1/4 cup parmesan, grated 3/4 cup bread crumbs Salt and pepper to taste 1 egg, beaten

6 – 7 slices mozzarella Lettuce for topping 2 tomatoes, sliced 1/4 red onion, sliced 6 – 7 kaiser buns, sliced Printer-Friendly Version

In a food processor combine the basil leaves, garlic cloves, toasted pine nuts, parmesan, fresh ground black pepper and olive oil. Blend all the ingredients until there are no more chunks.

In a large bowl combine the pesto, ground beef, parmesan, bread crumbs, salt, pepper and egg. Mix it just until all the ingredients are combined. Divide the mixture into 6 – 7 even balls depending on how big you want your patties. Between your palms squish each ball into a round disc then sandwich them between sheets of wax paper.

Grill the patties on a BBQ or grill on high heat about 3 – 5 minutes on each side. During the last few minutes of grilling top each with the slices of mozzarella. Transfer them to the sliced kaiser buns and top with the lettuce, tomato and onion. Enjoy!