Ham And Mushroom Burger (no Bread Bun)

Total Time: 30 mins Preparation Time: 5 mins Cook Time: 25 mins

Ingredients

• 4 garlic cloves (minced)
• extra virgin olive oil
• salt (organic lake recommended to taste)
• fresh ground black pepper (to taste)
• 8 portabella mushrooms (or large field about 10cm in diameter)
• 750 g deli ham (finely sliced)
• 24 basil leaves
• 12 slices gruyere cheese (about 15 to 20 grams each)
• string

Recipe

• 1 mix 100ml extra virgin olive oil with garlic and a pinch of salt and pepper and rub the mix over the insides of each mushroom.
• 2 place the mushrooms cap side down in a non stick prypan with 2 tablespoons of oil drizzled between the mushrooms to fry for 5 to 10 minutes, colouring the cap side only (don"t cook the gill side).
• 3 rest them with the lid on the pan so that they steam and cool gently and when cool enough to handle, lay one mushroom cap down on a tray and crunch/fold 2 slices ham into it, 2 basil leaves, 1 slice of cheese and then again 2 slices ham, 2 basil, 1 cheese - 2 layers in total, then place the second mushroom on top and secure with string and repeat with other 3 or make an assembly line and do all 4 at once.
• 4 the burgers can be prepared in advance (1 or 2 days) and then bake at 175c for 10-15 minutes to warm them through and serve them hot - we eat them with a knife and fork but the kids love to use their hands.