Caesar Salad with Flank Steak Burgers and Garlic Crostini



This is my second month that I have participated in the Burger Club. Last month was the grilled cheeseburger which was ok but wasn't what I was expecting when I joined the burger club. I was expecting something more like this Caesar burger. Something that is not like a burger you have ever made at home. I for one have never seen this burger before and was excited to get the chance to try my hands at making one. Kim over at Stirring the Pot picked this burger for the month and I am glad that she did. I will admit that I was nervous about anchovies. I confess that I am one of those people that love Caesar salad dressing but get squeamish around those tiny canned fish. So I opted to not mash up the anchovies and I went with buying anchovies paste instead and blended the dressing in my magic bullet to make it smooth. It worked out perfectly for everyone, you had the salty flavor from the anchovies and I didn't have to do the gross dirty work that would probably make me think twice of eating the burger.

On to the burger! It was easy to make. I did not have ground steak at the commissary but my wonderful mother bought me a kitchen aid mixer a couple of years ago for Christmas. So with my meat grinder attachment I had all I needed to make my own ground steak. I mixed the burgers and salad dressing ahead of time so that when it came time for dinner I was ready to rock n roll. Here were a couple of issues I had at the commissary aka grocery store, they did not have any good looking romaine lettuce so I grabbed green leaf lettuce instead and the only sour dough bread they had would of made mini slider burgers but they did have ciabatta bread on sale so I used that instead which I think worked out well. I really tried to stick as close to the recipe as I could but some things just did not work in my favor. Speaking of flavor I think the next time I make this, yup there is going to be a next time, I will make it with ground chicken. You know a burger take on a chicken Caesar salad.


I really liked this burger and so did my husband. I think that if you are on a budget and have a grinder, buying a piece of steak on sale and grinding it yourself will help save money. My husband liked the dressing on it and said next time I should marinate the steak in the dressing before grinding it. I just thought the whole thing was pretty original. I had never seen anything like it nor did it sound like something that would be easily forgotten. If you are a burger lover and you like Caesar salads then this is a must. It's easy, tasty and just plain interesting. You won't be disappointed in this beauty.

I am giving it ★★★1/2 out of 4.



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
Bread
  • 4 ciabatta rolls
  • Extra virgin olive oil, for brushing on the bread
  • 4 garlic cloves, peeled and halved
Also
  • 1-1/2 cups washed, dried, and shredded romaine lettuce
  • Shredded, freshly grated or shaved Parmesan cheese to tastePrepare a medium-hot fire in a charcoal grill with a cover, or preheat a gas grill to medium high.



  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.


This post is also submitted in
Friday Food
Favorite Things Friday
Food on Fridays
Fight Back Friday
Foodie Friday
Friday Favorites
Simply Hot Recipes
Make It Yours Day

21 comments:

Robin @ Blommi said...

I'm a total whimp. I buy the anchovy paste in the tube. You have some great recipes on here. I need to get more up myself before the scraps of paper I've jotted them down on get lost. The food section on my blog is like my recipe index...lol

Now following from New Friend Friday :)

Unknown said...

Thanks for sharing...this looks yummy! :)

Unknown said...

Oh...and I'm following back! lol!

Debbi Does Dinner Healthy said...

I totally wimped out this month and didn't make this burger because of the anchovies. I didn't think about the anchovy paste but I still would have been squeamish. I'm weird about that. I would EAT it, but I didn't want to make it. Clearly I'm going to have to invite myself over to your place to try it. :-)

vignette design said...

My husband would love this hamburger. Actually, so would I! Looks great!

Unknown said...

That looks yummy.

Visiting from FFF and following you on GFC as Thrifty Canucks
Visit and follow me, please, if you can - http://thriftycanucks.blogspot.com/

Heather S-G said...

I really wanted to join in the burger club and make this burger...but this month has gotten away from me. Looks delicious, though! =)

Ann Kroeker said...

What a culinary daredevil you are, trying such an unusual burger blend!

Thanks for linking this to Food on Fridays, and you are invited over to grill out with us any time at all!

Anonymous said...

I just happened upon your blog. Love your super recipes.

http://moogieland.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

i love your buns!! Just kidding, but that looks great!!

anne
www.anniebakes.net

Unknown said...

YUM!!

Blessings!
Gail

Mama Hen said...

Yummy! I am getting hungry looking at these pictures! I am here from the Friday Follow!You have a new follower! Have a great Friday! Come and visit Mama's Little Chick!

Mama Hen
www.mamaslittlechick.com

The Food Hunter said...

All of a sudden I'm craving burgers. I wonder why...this looks so delcious.

Barbara Bakes said...

I really like the idea of marinating the meat in the dressing and I love all that cheese on top.

Reeni said...

Your burger turned out great! I'm glad you liked it. Thanks for taking part! And if there's ever a burger you don't like - don't feel obligated to make it - you don't have to join every challenge to be a part of it.

Joanne said...

This burger looks so delicious! I love seeing it on everyone's blogs. I dont' think I'll get a chance to make it for the burger club but it is definitely going in my to-make file!

Anonymous said...

Can't wait to try it. We love anchovies - use them in all sorts of things to add a bit of zip.

Katie Zeller said...

Mon mari just made his famous Caesar salad last night.... But a burger to go on top - inspired. And we still have anchovies left LOL!

Kim said...

Thanks so much for making the burger:) I think your husband had a great idea of marinating the steak before grinding it up and I also love the idea of a making a chicken caesar salad burger. Sounds like you and your husband are full of great and creative ideas! Your burger looks terrific.

I'm working on the burger roundup now!

Jerri at Simply Sweet Home said...

What a great looking burger!

Thanks for linking up for Friday Favorites!

Chef Dennis Littley said...

that is an incredible burger! Love the idea of using flank steak...and my girls would love the Caesar concept!
Dennis