Mozzarella-Stuffed Turkey Burgers

By Coppermouse

Ingredients

• For the Marinara Sauce:
• 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups chopped plum tomatoes, with juices
• 6 oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, drained and finely chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
• For the Burgers:
• 1 pound 93 percent lean ground turkey
• 1/4 cup finely chopped scallions
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 2 teaspoons worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon freshly grated lemon zest
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil
• 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 4 4-inch-square slices foccacia bread (about 2 ounces each), toasted

Preparation

Step 1

FOR THE MARINARA:
Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, cover and cook, stirring frequently, until translucent, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in fresh tomatoes and any juices, sun-dried tomatoes, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes have broken down, 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in basil and remove from the heat. Transfer to a food processor and pulse to form a coarse-textured sauce. Return to the pan and set aside.

FOR THE BURGERS:
Place turkey, scallions, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, lemon zest, oregano, 1/2 teaspoon pepper and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a large bowl. Gently combine, without overmixing, until evenly incorporated. Form into 8 thin patties about 4-inches wide and 3/8 inch thick.

Combine 1/4 cup cheese and basil and place an equal amount in the center of 4 patties. Cover with the remaining patties and crimp the edges closed.

Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat (see Grilling Variation). Add burgers and cook, turning once, until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the center registers 165 degrees F, 8 to 10 minutes total.

Warm the marinara on the stove. To assemble the burgers, spread 3 tablespoons of marinara on each toasted foccacia, top with a burger, about 3 more tablespoons of marinara and 1 tablespoon of the remaining cheese. Grilling Variation: To grill the turkey burgers, preheat a grill to medium-high. Oil the grill rack (see Tip). Grill the patties, turning once, until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the center registers 165°F, 8 to 10 minutes total.