Wine & Vine Burger

Ingredients

For the Fried Pepper Mix:
1 large jar ( 12 oz) Mancini Fried Pepper Mix drained
1 Tablespoon Sutter Home Merlot Wine
1 Tablespoon Colavita Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Patties:
2 pounds of ground chuck(80% lean)
1/4 cup Colavita prepared Marinara Sauce
1 Tablespoon Colavita Extra Virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons Kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
Vegetable oil for brushing on grill rack

6 whole slices of Cole’s Garlic Texas Toast, thawed and each slice cut in half
6 slices of fresh mozzarella cheese cut approx 1/4 inch thick
6 each 1/2 Tablespoons French’s French Fried Onion Rings

Instructions

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

To make Italian Fried Pepper Mix: Cut peppers into large strips. Combine peppers, Merlot wine, and olive oil in a small heavy non stick fireproof pan on the grill. Heat until warm. Remove from heat and cover until needed.

To make Patties: Combine ground chuck, marinara sauce, olive oil, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Mix gently until blended and form into 6 equal patties to fit the bread halves.

When the grill is ready, brush the grill rack with vegetable oil. Place the patties on the rack and cook 5-7 minutes per side for medium or desired degree of doneness. During the last few minutes of cooking place the bread slices on the outer edges of the rack to toast slightly. During the last minute of cooking, top each patty with 1 slice each of Mozzarella cheese.

To assemble: Place burger on one half slice of bread. Top burger with 1 tablespoon of the fried pepper mixture. Place 1/2 Tablespoon of the French Fried onions. Add bread top and serve. Makes 6 burgers.