Cilantro Pesto Burger

Here's a gourmet take on the juicy cheeseburger. Instead of cheddar, use cream cheese with pesto for a more intense flavor.

Other burger recipes: Hamburger Heaven: 12 Recipes, more burger recipes

Serves 2 
Prep Time 45 minutes to 1 hour 
Cooking Time 10 minutes

2 burger buns
4 burger patties
4 tomato wheels
4 onion rings
2 leaves Lollo Rosso lettuce
2 teaspoons mustard
4 teaspoons ketchup

For the burger patty
400 grams ground beef
1 egg
4 tablespoons onion, finely chopped
2 tablespoons celery, finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon garlic paste
1/2 teaspoon mustard
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

For the cilantro pesto
3 tablespoons cilantro
      leaves and stem, chopped
1 tablespoon basil, chopped
1 teaspoon garlic, made into paste
1/2 cup cream cheese, room temperature
salt and pepper to taste

1  Mix beef, onion, celery, garlic paste, mustard, salt, and pepper. Form into 4 burger patties and set aside in a chiller.

2  Make the cilantro pesto by mixing cilantro, basil, garlic, cream cheese, salt and pepper together.

3  Pan-grill or pan-fry the burger patties.

4  Heat burger buns in an oven or oven toaster. Assemble the burger: Set burger patty on a bun and spread with cilantro pesto. Top with another patty followed by onion ring, tomato wheel, mustard and ketchup, and lettuce leaf. Cover with other half of the bun.

Photography by At Maculangan │ Food Preparation by Gino Gonzalez  of Center for Asian Culinary Studies │ Food Styling by Giannina Gonzalez │ Prop Styling by Angelo Comsti