Hamburger Imbottiti (Stuffed Hamburgers)

Hamburger Imbottiti (Stuffed Hamburgers)
4.7 (3 ratings)
Even the Italians love hamburgers. But in the Italian culture it cannot be only about meat. The Italian meal needs to have balance, so the addition of a little vegetable and a little cheese rounds out this meaty meal. For the record, the Italian-Mediterranean diet is the ideal diet because of its diversity and moderation. Click here to see the rest of Lidia Bastianich's Independence Day menu.
Servings
6
Ingredients
  • 1 1/2 pound ground beef
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 4 ounce low-moisture mozzarella, diced finely
  • 6 large basil leaves, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
Directions
  1. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, sun-dried tomatoes, vinegar, and salt. Mix the ingredients together with your hands and form into 6 equal-sized balls.
  2. In a small bowl, toss together the mozzarella and basil. Make an indentation in each ball and press in some of the mozzarella-basil mixture. Seal the mozzarella in and press to form patties about 1-inch thick.
  3. Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil. When the oil is hot, add the patties and cook until cooked through and the cheese inside is melted, about 8-10 minutes. To check if the cheese has melted inside, stick a toothpick into the center; if the cheese has melted it will stick to the toothpick. Serve with the homemade ketchup on a bun or with a salad.