Palate-Pleasing Pizza Burgers

Happy October! I love starting a new month; it brings a sense of renewal, like the feeling you get when you immerse yourself in the ocean or a pool and come out with fresh eyes and wet skin.  So, with that said, let's talk about these incredible Pizza Burgers, which feel like a renewal of sorts since they are definitely not your typical burger.  

Since giving birth to little Seashell, I have been scoping out easy, simple recipes even more than before.  I saw Ree Drummond (a.k.a. The Pioneer Woman) making these on her show last week, and I knew that I would be making my own version of them within days.  

The whole experience of these Pizza Burgers is fresh and different.  The flavors taste more like a hearty, warm Italian dish than a burger.  I love when food staples are twisted up like this - it really does make for a pleasing palate experience.

Palate-Pleasing Pizza Burgers
Source:  Adapted from The Pioneer Woman's "Supreme Pizza Burgers"-
thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2012/10/supreme-pizza-burgers/

Ingredients:
Ground beef (we used organic beef with very little fat content due to the added fat from the pepperoni - it's all about balance!)
2 slices/rings of fresh green bell pepper
2 potato buns
2 slices of provolone cheese
4 slices of deli pepperoni
1 T. or so of Italian Herb Mix (or a few dashes of oregano, basil, and thyme)
Your favorite marinara sauce
S & P
Olive Oil
*PW also used mushrooms, olives, and slices of onion - we omitted these, but please use if your heart desires!

The Process:
First, mix up the ground beef gently in a bowl with the dried herbs.  Add some S & P.  Form into patties and set aside.

Next, turn on the oven broiler.  I drizzled the buns with the lightest touch of extra virgin olive oil, and broiled them slightly (for about 1 minute) to brown them prior to adding the rest of the ingredients.

In a pan over medium-high heat and a touch of oil, saute' the pepper rings just to soften them a bit.  It also cuts the bitterness of the peppers.  Set aside.

Cook the burgers on an outdoor grill to your liking.  

When the burgers are cooked, the buns are slightly toasted, and the green peppers are slightly softened, it is time to assemble the burgers and then cook them under the broiler marry all the ingredients together in one happy little wedding.  Place a burger on each bun, followed by a small spoonful of marinara spread evenly, 1 slice of pepperoni, the green pepper, 1 slice of cheese, the next slice of pepperoni, and a small scoop of marinara.  

Broil, open-faced, for about 2-3 minutes until everything becomes bubbly and golden.  Get your palate (and your napkins) ready.

ENJOY!