Cabernet Burgers with Rosemary Focaccia

Saturday (yes, I am posting this late!) was a day for playing catch up.  Catch up days make me feel good.  At first I hate them, but after those chores get crossed off the list, ah, that feels great!  It was also a day I could put some extra effort into dinner because the day's schedule belonged too me.  I started the morning off making the focaccia for these really, really delicious burgers.  My advice, be prepared and organized when it is time to grill.  The process from grill to serve goes quickly and it helps to have things lined up and ready to go.  The glaze is good.  I may add a little more brown sugar the next time.  The cabernet is dry and covered up the sweetness.

Cabernet Burgers with Rosemary Focaccia
printable recipe

Glaze:
2 c. Cabernet Sauvignon wine
1 T. brown sugar

Butter:
1/4 c. softened butter
1 T. minced fresh rosemary

Patties:
1 1/2 lbs. ground chuck
1/4 c. wine glaze (above)
2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper

4 slices sharp cheddar
8 slices of tomato, about 1/2" thick
olive oil
kosher salt
4 focaccia squares or buns, split
2 c. baby greens
4 slices of crisp bacon

In a saucepan combine the wine and sugar.  Over medium heat reduce to about 1/2 c.   Takes about 20-25 minutes.  Turn heat down if it begins to scorch.  Cool.

In a small bowl combine the butter and rosemary.

In a large bowl combine the ground beef, 1/4 c. glaze, salt and pepper.  Form into 4 patties (with your thumb put a shallow indent in the middle, this helps your burger from puffing up in the middle when cooking).

Grill burgers over direct heat on the grill.  Brush with remaining glaze occasionally while cooking.  Grill to desired doneness; about 4 minutes per side for medium-rare.

In the last minute of grilling, top each burger with cheese.

Brush the tomato slices on both sides with olive oil.  On the coolest section of the grill (or lower heat on a gas grill), grill the tomatoes for 1-2 minutes per side.

Spread both sides of the focaccia with the rosemary butter.  Grill, butter side down to toast.

Assemble burger in this order starting at the bottom.  Greens, burger, tomato, and bacon.