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  2. Caprese Polenta Sliders

Caprese Polenta Sliders

Make your next dinner party a success by kicking off the night with these appetizers; topping mini Ground Beef sliders with fresh mozzarella cheese, juicy tomatoes, fresh basil and balsamic syrup.

Cook Mode

Ingredients:

  • 1-1/2 pounds Ground Beef (93% lean or leaner)
  • 2/3 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1 package (16 to 18 ounces) refrigerated prepared polenta, cut into 8 slices
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 package (8 ounces) fresh mozzarella cheese, cut into 8 slices
  • 2 medium tomatoes, cut into 4 slices each
  • 1/4 cup thinly sliced fresh basil

Cooking:

  1. Bring vinegar to a boil in 2-quart saucepan. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 9 to 10 minutes or until reduced to 1/3 cup. Set aside.
    2. Cook's Tip: Prepared balsamic syrup or glaze may be substituted for balsamic reduction.
  2. Meanwhile lightly shape Ground Beef into eight 1/2-inch thick patties.
  3. Brush polenta slices with oil. Place patties in center of grid over medium, ash-covered coals. Grill burger patties, uncovered, 11 to 12 minutes (over medium heat on preheated gas grill, covered, 9 to 10 minutes), until instant-read thermometer inserted horizontally into center registers 160°F, turning burgers occasionally and basting with 2 tablespoons reduced vinegar after turning. Arrange polenta around patties; grill 11 to 12 minutes (for gas, grill 9 to 10 minutes) or until heated through, turning once. Season burgers with salt and pepper, as desired.
    4. Cook's Tip: If prepared polenta is not available, the following may be used: Combine 3 cups water, 1 tablespoon butter and 1/2 teaspoon salt in large saucepan; bring to a boil. Gradually whisk in 1 cup cornmeal. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook 15 minutes, stirring often. (Mixture will be very thick.) Remove from heat; cool slightly. Spoon polenta on aluminum foil-line baking sheet. Cover with plastic wrap and pat into 12 x 6 x 1/2-inch rectangle. Refrigerate 1 hour or as long as overnight. Cut chilled polenta into eight 3-inch circles using a cookie or biscuit cutter. Proceed as directed above.

    Cooking times are for fresh or thoroughly thawed Ground Beef. Ground beef should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160°F. Color is not a reliable indicator of ground beef doneness.
  4. For each serving, layer 1 each polenta slice, burger patty, mozzarella slice and tomato slice. Drizzle with remaining vinegar and sprinkle with basil, as desired.

Nutrition Information

Safe Handling Tips

Beef Checkoff

Bourbon Blueberry & Brie Bacon Cheeseburger

Brian Capps of Louisville, KY, has been crowned the 2021 Derby Burger Champion in the 10th Annual Derby Burger Challenge. Capps’ burger, made with 100% Kentucky Cattlemen’s ground beef is packed with flavor. The patty is topped with brie, thick-cut bacon, a blueberry bourbon sauce and arugula - all on a brioche bun.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound Kentucky Cattlemen’s Ground Beef
  • 4 Slices Bacon, thick sliced
  • 1/4 inch Sliced Brie Cheese, rind removed
  • 1 pint Fresh Blueberries
  • 1 Lemon, halved
  • 1/8 cup White Sugar
  • 2 tsp. Cornstarch
  • 1 1/2 tsp. Bourbon
  • 2 Brioche Buns
  • 2 Tbsp. Salted Butter
  • Arugula 
  • ¼ tsp. Kosher Salt
  • ¼ tsp. Black Pepper

Recipe

1. Form Two Patties and Set Aside.

2. Preheat your skillet over medium high heat. Add butter, and sliced buns. Cook until golden brown, set aside.

3. Salt and pepper both sides of the burger patty, cook over medium high heat. Cook until internal temperature of 160°F (USDA recommended), add cheese before taking off heat until melted.

4. Add blueberries, sugar, and lemon juice into a small pot. Cook on medium to low heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally. Mix cornstarch with water to make a slurry. Slowly add your slurry mixture to thicken blueberry sauce. Remove mixture from heat and stir in your bourbon.

5. Build your burger. Place your burger patty with melted cheese, cooked bacon, blueberry sauce on the bottom bun. Top the burger with arugula and add the top bun.

6. Enjoy!

Find more delicious recipes and other ways to be involved in the Derby Burger Challenge HERE!