The Ultimate Sicilian Burger: Katie's Own Creation

Ingredients:

• 6 sun-dried tomato halves, finely chopped
• 2 tbsp mayonnaise
• 1 lb. ground beef
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 2 oz. shredded reduced-fat mozzarella or any Italian cheese (1/2 cup)
• 2 tbsp  homemade pesto sauce
• 4 tomato slices
• Shredded lettuce or arugula
• 4 whole wheat buns or pitas (optional)

Makes 4 Servings

1. In a smal bowl, combine the sun-dried tomatoes and mayonnaise. Set aside.
2. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, Worcestershire sauce, garlic and cheese. Form the mixture into 4 patties about 1/2-inch thick.
3. Lightly coat a nonstick sillet with cooking spray and heat ove medium-high heat. Cook the burgers until brown on both sides, about 4 minutes on each side, or until a thermometer inserted into the thickest part registers 160 F.
4. Serve burgers on buns, if using, and garnish with mayonnaise, lettuce, tomato and pesto sauce.

WW POINTS VALUE: 10 pts. (I think)

Note: This was a recipe that originally appeared in the South Beach Diet Cookbook. I modifed it bcause my mom and I were in the mood for burgers and I always wanted to try this recipe. The original recipe calls for the following:  a small head of garlic to be roasted and then squeezed into a cup with the mayonnaise and sun-dried tomatoes; 1 1/2 lbs. sirloin steak, trimmed of all visible fat, chopped; 4 slices fontina cheese, arugula and fresh basil for garnish. I decided to put a little twist on this recipe and kick it up a notch. I decided to use ground beef instead of chopped sirloin and mix it with  shredded Italian cheeses, chopped garlic, and Worcestershire sauce. The toppings/garnishes for this burger were sun-dried tomato mayonnaise, homemade pesto sauce, lettuce and tomato. The result: a delicious gourmet burger. Ths burger was so delicious it melted in my mouth. My mom thinks I should open my own business with my own burger place or restaurant. Look out Mario Batali and Emril Lagasse, I'm giving both of you a run for your  $$. Heck, I'll even use this burger recipe in a Throwdown with Bobby Flay, if he dares!