Bruschetta Burgers with Fresh Ground Tri-tip

I like to grind my own meat in the food processor. I feel I have more control over what I’m using and what the end result will be. These burgers are one of those “Omgosh! Munch chomp chew don’t bother me I’m inhaling something amazing” experiences.

Bruschetta topping
1 or 2 ripe tomatoes
1 clove garlic, minced
Palmful of chopped fresh basil
Palmful of chopped fresh Italian parsley
1/4th cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese
1 Tablespoon basil or regular olive oil
Salt & fresh cracked pepper

Mix all the ingredients together except salt. Add salt right before topping the burgers so the tomatoes don’t get watery. Set aside.

Patties
2 pounds Tri-tip steaks, with a strip of fat on the side preferably.
1 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese
¼ cup finally chopped onion
Palmful of chopped fresh Italian flat leaf parsley
Palmful of chopped fresh basil
1 Tablespoon basil or regular olive oil
Salt & fresh cracked pepper

Ingredients for assembly
6 thin slices unsmoked deli ham
1 cup grated Italian or regular fontina
1 loaf French bread, cut diagonally into 12 slices
Extra virgin olive oil

Instructions
Pre-heat the grill to medium high.

Bring the steaks to room temperature. Grind ¼ of them at a time in a food processer, using the metal blade attachment. You’re looking for meat that is shredded without big pieces.

Place the meat in a large bowl and add the rest of the patty ingredients. Mix gently with your hands. Press together until it sticks well enough, then press into patties. The trick here is to press enough to stick together, but not to overwork the meat. Make 6 patties.

Cook the burgers until grill marks form, flip once and cook until almost done. Top with the fontina & ham and finish cooking.

Brush one side of the bread with olive oil. Grill the olive oil side until grill marks form. Place the patties on the uncooked side of a bread slice. Salt the bruschetta topping and spoon over the top of the patties. Top with another slice of grilled bread.

Serves 6.

Recipe by Laura Flowers