Fredricksburg Burger w/ Country-Thyme Grilled Peaches
San Antonio had many surrounding small country towns each known for fruits,nuts or vegetables.Fredricksburg happens to be well known for their peaches and has a peach festival each year. I have combined the local peaches with a great beef burger.Beef being very important to Texas.The two marry well and are a wonderful flavor combination.This burger pairs well with a chilled glass of Sutter Home Chardonnay.
Ingredients:
Patties:
36 oz. ground chuck
1/4 cup grated vidalia onion
2 garlic cloves,peeled,finely minced
1-1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. ground black pepper
1-1/4 tsp. fresh thyme,chopped
Marinated Country-Thyme Peaches:
3 ripe peaches,pitted,sliced
2 tbls. Sutter Home Chardonnay
1/4 cup canola oil
1 tbls. balsamic vinegar
1 tbls. sugar
1/8 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. ground black pepper
1 tsp. fresh thyme,chopped
6 white buns,split
3 cups arugula,pre-washed
*1-2 tbls.vegetable oil for brushing grill rack
Instructions:
Prepare a charcoal grill to a medium-hot heat with a cover or a gas grill to a medium -hi heat.
In a large bowl combine all patty ingredients, mix gently until combined. Cover bowl and set aside.
Cut peaches in half and remove pits. Slice each peach half into 3 slices, there should be 18 slices total. Place peach slices in a large gallon sized zip-lock bag along with the Sutter Home Chardonnay, canola oil, balsamic vinegar, sugar, salt, pepper and thyme. Seal. Shake bag, set aside.
Shape patty mixture into 6 equal sized patties.Brush oil on grill. Place patties on greased grill, cover and cook for 5-7 minutes. per side for medium, turning only once, keeping lid on only for the first 5-7 minutes. When you flip the patties, place peach slices on grill cooking 2 minutes per side,(reserve marinade) remove peach slices from grill and set aside until ready for assembly.
Place buns cut side down around the outer part of the grill for last 2 minutes of cooking time or until lightly toasted. Remove buns and patties.
Place arugula in the zip-lock bag with the reserved marinade, shake to dress the arugula.
To assemble burgers, place 6 buns down cut side up. Place dressed arugula equally among the 6 bottom buns, add 3 slices of grilled peaches, a pattie to each and place a top bun over each patty. Serves 6.