Mozzarella Sauced Spicy Burgers

Ingredients

• 1 lb beef, minced, extra lean is best
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1/2 cup onion, white, chopped
• 1 cup fresh carrot, grated, about 1 large
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1 teaspoon fennel seed, crushed
• 1/2 teaspoon ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon coriander
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, divided
• 1 (7 1/2 ounce) can pizza sauce, I used hot and spicy
• 1/2 cup fresh mushrooms, sliced
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley
• 2-3 teaspoons cornstarch
• 3 teaspoons water
• 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 8 ounces mozzarella cheese, sliced
• 4 hamburger buns

Directions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 400f degrees.

2. 2

   Slice bun in half and place on non stick cookie tray; top each half with cheese slices; set aside.

3. 3

   In a large bowl combine beef, soy sauce, onions, carrots, egg, fennel seeds, ginger, cumin, coriander and 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, mix well.

4. 4

   Separate meat mixture into 4 portions and form into burgers; place on wire rack in an oven roaster; bake for 30 minutes or until no longer pink inside.

5. 5

   While burgers are cooking make the cheese sauce in a nonstick saucepan over medium heat; combine pizza sauce, mushrooms and parsley, bring to simmer; add all of the shredded cheese and the other quarter teaspoon of cayenne.

6. 6

   Simmer uncovered for 10 minutes.

7. 7

   Make a slurry of the cornstarch and the water; add to cheese mixture while stirring, simmer until thickened about 5 or 6 minutes.

8. 8

   When the burgers have cooked for 20 minutes, place the tray of cheese topped buns in the oven with them, to toast and melt the cheese slices.

9. 9

   To assemble:.

10. 10

    Place burger on bottom half of the cheesed bun, spoon sauce over the burger and top with the other half of the cheesed bun.

11. 11

    Serve with a green salad or oven fries.

12. 12

    Enjoy!