Friday, May 28, 2010

Blogger Burger Club: Caesar Salad and Flank Steak Burgers with Garlic Crostini


Today is National Hamburger Day and with the holiday weekend coming up, it is a great time to cook up some tasty burgers! I was very happy when Reeni of Cinnamon Spice & Everything Nice asked me to host this month's Blogger Burger Club! I am always inspired by Reeni's tasty creations and was honored that she asked me. After careful consideration, I chose this Caesar Salad and Flank Steak Burger with Garlic Crostini. The recipe comes from a book I bought awhile back called Build a Better Burger and contains recipes from Sutter Home's annual burger contest. There are some stunning burger recipes in this book. However, it was this Caesar Salad and Flank Steak Burger with Garlic Crostini that stole my heart.

Imagine a thick, juicy, tender steak burger with a homemade Caesar salad, sitting atop a thick garlicky crostini, showered in Parmesan cheese. Heaven, pure heaven! This is definitely a fork and knife burger. Enjoy it alone. It needs no accompaniments, except maybe a glass of wine.

Caesar Salad with Flank Steak Burgers with Garlic Crostini
Adapted from Build a Better Burger (Makes 4 large meal-sized burgers)
Estimated Time: 30-40 minutes
Dressing:
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1-1/2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
3/4 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
2 flat anchovy fillets packed in oil, drained and chopped (I use 1/2 tsp. anchovy paste)
2 garlic cloves, chopped
2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
Patties:
1-1/2 pounds ground flank steak
1/2 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
2 shallots, minced
3 garlic cloves, minced
3 tablespoons Zinfandel (feel free to use any red wine or even beef broth)
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon lemon pepper seasoning
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Olive oil, for brushing the grill rack
Garlic Crostini:
8 (1/2 inch-thick) sourdough bread slices
Extra virgin olive oil, for brushing on the bread
4 garlic cloves, peeled and halved
You will also need:
1-1/2 cups washed, dried, and shredded romaine lettuce
Shredded, freshly grated or shaved Parmesan cheese to taste

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

To make the dressing, combine the olive oils, vinegars, and salt in a small jar with a lid and shake until well blended. Mash the anchovy fillets and garlic together on a cutting board until they form a paste; transfer to a bowl. Add the oil and vinegar mixture, lemon juice, and parsley and whisk until smooth. Set aside.

To make the patties, combine the steak, parsley, shallots, garlic, Zinfandel, salt, lemon pepper seasoning, and pepper in a large bowl. Handling the meat as little as possible to avoid compacting it, mix well. Divide the mixture into 4 equal portions and form the portions into patties to fit the bread slices.

When the grill is ready, brush the grill rack with olive oil. Place the patties on the rack, cover, and cook, turning once, until done to preference 5-7 minutes on each side for medium. During the last few minutes of cooking, to make the crostini, brush the bread slices to taste with olive oil on both sides. Place the bread slices on the outer edges of the rack, turning once to toast lightly. Remove and rub each side of the toast with 1/2 garlic clove.

To assemble the burgers, combine the lettuce and the dressing in a large bowl and toss lightly. On 4 of the bread slices, place an equal portion of the salad, a patty and a generous sprinkling of Parmesan cheese. Top with the remaining slices and serve.

Notes: This was the first time I heard about ground flank steak. I live in a very small town, with limited grocery options and had no trouble getting the butcher to grind me some flank steak. It only took 5 minutes and I was in and out of there. The ground flank steak was extremely tender and if you can get it, I highly suggest it. However, ground beef would also work well in this recipe. You may also be tempted to use a store-bought Caesar dressing. I say don't do it! This homemade dressing was delicious and was nothing like the bottled stuff you see in the supermarket. The last thing I want to mention is in regard to 3 tablespoons of Zinfandel that go into the patties. I didn't have Zinfandel, but I had another red wine which worked just as well. If you don't drink wine or don't have any on hand, just use a beef stock. Either way, you will need this liquid to help bind the burger together.

Want to Join Along??

Burger Club Guidelines:

-Make the Caesar Salad and Flank Steak Burgers with Garlic Crostini, blog about it with your rating and other thoughts on it, link to me and let me know by e-mail tony.tracy@att.net or by adding your link to the MckLinky below by midnight on June 20th.

The ratings are based on a four-star rating:

1 Star = Didn't like and wouldn't make again.

2 Stars = Liked but wouldn't make again.

3 Stars = Liked and will make again.

4 Stars = Loved! Will make often.

-I will average out the ratings to give it one singular rating and also include a round-up of your burger and ratings.

-Join in as often as you like.


I really enjoyed this burger and am giving it 3.5 stars!
The steak burger was very tender and flavorful, the salad dressing on the romaine lettuce was very light and herbaceous, but it was the garlic crostini that pulled it all together. A special occasion burger that I will be sure to make again.

Also, I want to give a huge Thank You to Reeni for letting me host this month's burger!!

Happy National Hamburger Day!!


33 comments:

  1. Wow--I didn't know today was national hamburger day--thanks for the heads up! Yours looks absolutely amazing! Great job!

    ReplyDelete
  2. A burger never looked so good. As I pause over the ingredients I know why. That is luscious!

    ReplyDelete
  3. So glad you posted this before the holiday. This is what I'll be BBQing on Monday. Great choice.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Pasta with garlic and bacon yesterday and now this today. You are killing me!

    ReplyDelete
  5. You picked a wonderful burger to highlight.And you brought it to use just in time for the holiday. Have a great day. Blessings...Mary

    ReplyDelete
  6. The burger is stunning! You made a great choice Kim. I can't wait to make these. My mouth is watering just looking at your awesome photos. Thanks so much for taking on the hosting duties for this round! xo

    ReplyDelete
  7. This is one seriously dressed up burger! I don't think I've ever heard of ground flank steak either but hey why not! I love the wine in it...and that dressing. Beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  8. oh wow, i love this! i haven't heard of ground flank steak either, but it's nice that it wasn't hard to get it ground up. this looks awesome, excellent job!

    ReplyDelete
  9. This is my kind of burger and I must try it this weekend! It sounds delicious and the anchovy paste in the dressing... Oh my gosh!!! Great recipe!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. This sounds like a fantastic burger!

    ReplyDelete
  11. This burger looks absolutely delicious!! Especially the ceasar dressing!!:) A must try!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Gorgeous burger and I love anything with Caesar salad. I am going to have to join in this round for sure. ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Ooooo fancy fancy! I can't wait to see what the buger club bloggers come up with :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Your post shows that burgers can indeed be delicious!

    ReplyDelete
  15. What a perfectly awesome combination! I love caesar salad, and I adore burgers...don't even get me started on those crostini's!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Oh, btw, would you email me? I've got a question for you. sporadiccook@gmail.com
    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  17. THis looks awesome. I am not a huge burger fan but in this case I am! Can't wait to try it this summer.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I love watching the "build a better burger" episodes on FoodNetwork when they show the Sutter Home contests. A lot of people have been having brisket ground for burgers but haven't heard of flank steak. I want to try that!

    ReplyDelete
  19. What a delightful burger!Have a great weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  20. I've been waiting to see what this months burger would be and it looks fantastic! I was wondering about the ground flank steak. Thanks for that little note. cant wait to try this one!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Hoping to help get the word out for this delicious challenge. Stumbled!

    ReplyDelete
  22. How could I miss National Hamburger Day? It makes me feel positively un-American that we had oysters and bay scallops on Friday. That said, I'm head over heels in love with your brilliant burger recipe. I'm up for Caesar any old time, and this flavor combo just sounds sensational. Stumbled.

    ReplyDelete
  23. This sounds so great to me...I hope I remember to make it. Send me a reminder when time's getting close ;) I'm making a note, though! YUM.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Fantastic burger! I hope I can get my act together this month and make it.
    Mimi

    ReplyDelete
  25. That looks amazing! I will definitely give it a try.

    ReplyDelete
  26. I've joined the burger club in the past but I think I'll have to pass on this one. I'm just not a big caesar salad fan and I am trying to keep the calories down and this looks pretty high calorie with all the oil. I'll bet I would love to eat it, just not making it this month. I look forward to seeing what everyone thinks of it though! Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  27. I made the burgers Kim and everyone loved them! Thanks for picking such a delicious burger. And for taking on the hosting duties!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Kim, I'm going to join you on this, sounds like a lot of fun. I have next Friday off work with no supper plans, so will be making it then and posting it on Saturday. I'll be getting in right before the deadline, lol! I can't wait to make it, you picked a delicious-sounding burger!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Wow - this looks amazing! I love the garlic crostini for the bun...very creative!

    ReplyDelete
  30. I've made a recipe similar to this before. I'll have to try it with the flank steak!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Kim, I made the burger (fantastic!) but Mr. Linky is closed so I can't link up to it. I thought we had until June 20? Sorry I missed it. Great burger though!

    ReplyDelete
  32. Hi, i believe that i noticed you visited my web site so i came to return the desire?
    .I'm attempting to find issues to enhance my website!I guess its adequate to make use of some of your ideas!!

    my web-site: mouse click the following webpage

    ReplyDelete
  33. I liked the complete article. I am glad, i experienced a search over the site. Thank you so much for sharing this sort of awesome information. Food Service Distributor in PA

    ReplyDelete

Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment! At the moment I am having a huge problem with spam so I've had to add comment moderation and close off comments to anonymous users. I apologize for the trouble and hope to return my comments to normal shortly.