Caprese Polenta Burgers & a Great Giveaway!



I rarely make hamburgers at home. I like to order them out when I have a craving and like them piled high with the works.

It's football tailgating season, and these were terrific on a Sunday afternoon, tailgating in my own backyard!

This very simple recipe is from Sutter Home Family Vineyards. I used the pre-made polenta, so all you have to do is slice it into rounds to fit your burger size.



These were knife and fork food, definitely not pick up and eat burgers. They would make an elegant first course, or an impressive lunch watching the game. They were fabulous.

Since it's December, I took my grill out of hibernation to make these, but you can certainly use a grill pan if your grill is put away for the winter (which I will be doing next time I make them).

DELICIOUS!

Caprese Polenta Burgers: (adapted from Beef it's What's for Dinner)

1-1/2 pounds ground beef
2/3 cup balsamic vinegar
1 package (16 to 18 ounces) refrigerated prepared polenta, cut into 8 slices
2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt and pepper
1 package (8 ounces) fresh mozzarella cheese, cut into 8 slices
2 medium tomatoes, cut into 4 slices each (I used roasted tomatoes)
Thinly sliced fresh basil

Bring vinegar to a boil in 2-quart saucepan. Reduce heat to a very low simmer, uncovered, about 8 minutes or until reduced to 1/3 cup. Set aside. The vinegar will get thick and syrupy.



Meanwhile lightly shape ground beef into eight 1/2-inch thick patties, the size of your polenta rounds (I used a cookie cutter). Season with salt & pepper & any other seasonings you like.

Brush polenta slices with oil. Place hamburger patties in center of grill over medium heat, arrange polenta around patties.

Grill burgers and polenta slices, 11 to 12 minutes (over medium heat) or to the desired doneness.
Turn once, and add mozzarella slices on top of the burgers just to slightly melt.



When your burgers are done and the polenta slices have nice grill marks, start the layering.

For each serving, layer 1 polenta slice, 1 burger, a mozzarella slice, a basil leaf and tomato slice. Drizzle with balsamic reduction and serve!



Just in time for the holidays, Sutter Home Family Vineyards and the National Cattleman's Beef Association. (You know, "BEEF, it's What's for Dinner" slogan) are sponsoring a great giveaway on Stacey Snacks.



Tell us your favorite tailgating food and 2 winners will be randomly selected to win this LARGE GORGEOUS gift basket, complete with cutting board set with knife, fork, bottle closure and corkscrew, dish towels, olive oil, vinegars, dipping sauces, garlic parmesan sauce, assortment of 4 exotic sea salts and peppercorns as well as an “I Heart Beef” apron, bumper sticker, pin and a Healthy Beef Cookbook and a wood and plexi-glass cookbook stand! – a perfect way to have a fun and delicious tailgating season, or a wonderful holiday gift.

Enjoy these delicious burgers with or without the game!

Comments

Steve said…
Stace,
I love Buffalo wings for tailgate, but I'm inclined to give these a try, tailgate or not. DON'T stow away the grill yet!
Peggy DiPietro said…
Pulled pork sliders, yummy!
Anonymous said…
Cheese and Parsley Sausage Rings from A&S Pork Store in Little Falls.

Jim from Montville. Hi Stacy.
-Erika said…
Grilled sausages with roasted peppers and onions on a good, hearty roll! YUM! And LOTS of cold beer to wash it down!
Anonymous said…
a huge bowl of clam chowder! nom nom nom : D

rain

rainelyn@gmail.com
molly said…
Velvita, Rotel, & beef cheese dip!! YUM :)
Janice said…
Steaks, lemon-herb marinated shrimp, grilled fennel--out tailgates tend to draw a bit of attention
The JR said…
My sausage wonton cups. Can use any kind of ground sausage to make them.
PaigeATL said…
This recipe sounds delicious although maybe too sophisticated for my football crowd! But definitely will give it a try! Favorite tailgating food is chili with all the fixings (sour cream, cheese, onions!) And now it's cold enough to Atlanta to enjoy!
cheesy beef burritos, wings, sliders - I like a buffet!
MKTRAT said…
Grilled Spiedini and balsamic glazed asparagus. Semi-gourmet outdoors is always fun!!
susitravl said…
We like grilled burgers & bratwurst when we tailgate. Go Chiefs!
susitravl(at)gmail(dot)com
Karen said…
Grilled hot sausage on crusty Italian bread. Yummy stuff.
Suburban prep said…
My husband and I love burgers and brats. Then add a bit of artichoke dip and some veggies and that makes it marvelous.
msgb245 at gmail dot com
kat said…
What an elegant take on burgers. We rarely tailgate but if we did I'm sure it would be all about brats.
rcoda said…
Chateau Blanc Sliders... my gourmet take on White Castles... recipe here:
http://www.pctype.com/recipes/Chateau_Blanc_Sliders.pdf

rich@rcodaphotography.com
Anonymous said…
I gotta go with the old standby burgers and brats. They're simple and everyone loves them!
s. said…
My boyfriend makes these cream cheese stuffed hamburgers that are to die for! That and brats always :)
Carolyn K said…
My favorite is nachos with chili topping, always worth the splurge. I love when a combo surprises me and the polenta burgers did just that. Can't wait to try. Thanks!
Ellen said…
Pork and beef on rosemary skewers. Simple yet delicious!
Tania said…
I absolutely love anything with sausage. Also, I tend to eat a lot of my beefy nachos too. So cheesy and good!
Holly said…
Love jalapeno cheese brats with cream cheese - delicious!!
Terri. said…
I love big thick med rare cheeseburgers with the works, onions, pickles, lettuce, tomato, etc. and Chicken wings...Is that a weird combo? I love it!
tshaw6580@yahoo.com
Donna-FFW said…
Cheesesteak sliders , inside out blt's, and beer. Cold.
SueZ said…
Love chili for a football crowd...easy to add all the extras, and you don't need to babysit it.
SueZ zabrit@earthlink.net
AllThingsYummy said…
Awesome giveaway. Your polenta burgers looks super yummy.
My favorite tailgate food is chips and french onion dip.

E-mail allthingsyummyforfoodies@yahoo.com
Roxy said…
My favorite tailgating food has got to be chili in the crockpot. My homemade chili, of course!
jstaw@juno.com
Lindsay said…
Fave tailgating food = cheeseburger. But I'm really just there to drink at 10 am without judgement ;-)
I don't tailgate, but it would probably be grilled Italian sausage with sweet peppers and some hot giardinara on the side, and of course all loaded on some good crusty Italian bread. Just a thought!
Amy V. said…
Dips! Love a Mexican layer dip, spinach artichoke dip, homemade French onion dip....yum!
Jerry said…
We love chili or pulled pork for tailgating.
Unknown said…
I love quesadillas, burgers, spinach and artichoke dip, roasted tomatoes and mozzarella on a baguette, and home made buffalo boneless wings.
Ann from ILlinois said…
I love Ina's Chicken Chili topped with white cheddar cheese and a handful of Fritos. Is it bad to choose chicken as my meat of choice for tailgating when this is a BEEF giveaway???
Julie said…
Your burgers look to DIE for..for real! I've never been tailgaiting, but chili sounds perfect to me!
Kate said…
I love a good mushroom burger and potato salad.
Rusthawk said…
Burgers and shishkabobs!
wanda said…
Never tailgated before, but if I had to choose I would take some pulled pork sandwiches, chili, wings or a good fish taco.
Unknown said…
I like hamburgers with Worcestershire sauce and turkey franks.
Dave W said…
BBQ Beef and cheddar wraps, warmed on the grill.
Lisa Faley said…
Hot Buffalo wings, giant salty wedge french fries, nachos with cheese and jalapino peppers, BEER!
Mary in Columbus OH said…
Tailgate food....Yummy BBQ beef on a nice warm bun, coleslaw, Crisp kosher dill pickle and a good beer! Stacey I check your sight everyday just love it! Mary in Columbus Ohio
kim torpey said…
ribs...gotta have ribs...
Rebecca said…
Spicey, beefy chili
Karen said…
Great giveaway! I guess I'd have to say sausages with all the fixins :)
Natalie said…
mmm buffalo chicken dip!!
deb b said…
We grill steaks with brandy sauce, shrimp, and a sherry/soy sauce/grilled chicken dip. it all taste wonderful.
Carole said…
What a generous giveaway. Thank you.

My LC grill pan is used throughout the winter.

Tailgates usually include veggie & beef skewers and/or chili.
DivaG said…
Tailgating party! Grilled steak/burgers (depending on the budget!), deviled eggs, a cold crab pasta salad w/ snow peas, roasted red peppers, and a lemon dressing, with my grandmother's Spice Cake to finish.

Makes my mouth water to think of it!
Anne said…
I like a hot bowl of New England Clam Chowder or grilled chicken and veggie skewers. Great giveaway!

Anne - amberenson@juno.com
Anonymous said…
Tailgating Menu:
Chili, Salad, Garlic Bread, and Apple Crumb Bars.

Beverage: Beer or Red Wine

Weather: Preferably not Southern California in the 80's, but a comfortable Autumn afternoon in the 60's.

Add good friends, family, and lots of laughter.

Fay