Turkey Burgers with Asiago Cheese

These autumn fruit-inspired turkey burgers are a terrific menu item for a casual get-together during fall and winter months. Recipe by Chef Sanford D’Amato.

Recipe Ingredients:

Cranberries:
1 cup fresh cranberries, drained and rinsed
4 tablespoons water
3 tablespoons granulated sugar

Burgers:
1/4 cup plain dry bread crumbs
4 tablespoons water
1 pound ground turkey
2 green onions, thinly sliced, rinsed under warm water and drained
1 cup (about 3 ounces) Wisconsin Aged Asiago Cheese, grated
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil

Apples:
1 Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored, cut in 12 slices
1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
4 good-quality hamburger buns, split, cut sides brushed with olive oil
4 slices (2x3x1/16-inch) slices Wisconsin Aged Asiago Cheese

Cooking Directions:

1. For Cranberries: Place cranberries, 4 tablespoons water and the sugar in small saucepan; cover. Bring to a simmer and cook until all cranberries pop. Do not overcook. Remove to a bowl and cool, partially covered, in the refrigerator.
2. For Burgers: In large bowl, mix bread crumbs with 2 tablespoons water. Add turkey, green onions, grated cheese, salt and pepper; mix well. Form mixture into 4 equal 1/2-inch thick patties.
3. Heat large heavy sauté pan over medium heat. Add 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil. When hot, add burgers and sauté 4 minutes per side or until thoroughly cooked.
4. While burgers cook, lightly toast cut sides of buns in separate pan.
5. For Apples: Toss sliced apples with 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil.
6. When burgers are cooked, remove from pan; pour out any excess oil. Return pan to heat and add apples. Sauté apples 3 to 5 minutes or until light golden in color and cooked through.
7. Final Preparation: Place burgers on bun bottoms; top each with cheese slice and 2 apple slices. Spoon some of the cranberry sauce over the top with a slotted spoon and place bun tops over cranberries.

Makes 4 servings.

Recipe and photograph provided courtesy of Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, Inc.