The burger phenomenon has never really taken hold in Italy, but the flavors in these dainty little sliders would be right at home there. Taleggio is a northern Italian sharp, creamy cheese that keeps the burgers moist and delicious. The heat of the patty melts the cheese and releases the basil’s fresh, herby perfume, making for a decidedly elegant burger experience.

　　

Ingredients

8 servings

　　Vegetable or canola oil, for the grill

　　2 1/4 pounds ground chuck

　　3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

　　1/2 cup packed fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves, finely chopped

　　3 garlic cloves, finely chopped

　　3 tablespoons tomato paste

　　1 1/2 teaspoons salt

　　1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

　　8 small ciabatta rolls, sliced in half

　　1/4 cup olive oil

　　8 slices (4 1/2 ounces) Taleggio cheese

　　8 large basil leaves

　　

Step 1

Place a grill pan over medium-high heat or preheat a gas or charcoal grill. Lightly oil the grill pan or grilling rack with vegetable oil.

　　

Step 2

In a large bowl, combine the ground chuck, Parmesan cheese, parsley, garlic, tomato paste, salt, and pepper. Using clean hands, gently mix the ingredients and form into 8 patties, each about 1 inch thick and 4 inches in diameter.

　　

Step 3

Grill the burgers for 3 minutes on each side, until cooked to medium.

　　

Step 4

Brush the cut side of each roll with the olive oil and toast on the grill for 1 to 2 minutes, until slightly golden.

　　

Step 5

To serve, put 1 mini burger on the bottom half of each of the rolls. Divide the Taleggio cheese on top of the burgers. Place a basil leaf over the cheese and put the other half of each roll on top.

　　Giada at Home by Giada De Laurentiis. Copyright © 2010 by Giada De Laurentiis. Published by the Crown Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved.Giada De Laurentiis is the star of Food Network's Everyday Italian and Behind the Bash. She attended the Cordon Bleu in Paris, and then worked in a variety of Los Angeles restaurants, including Wolfgang Puck's Spago, before starting her own catering and private-chef company, GDL Foods. The granddaughter of movie producer Dino De Laurentiis, Giada was born in Rome and grew up in Los Angeles, where she now lives.