Burger Di Melanzane (Aubergine Hamburger) recipe by MasterChef: The Professionals contestant Danilo Cortellini

Danilo Cortellini

Danilo Cortellini

30th April 2018
Danilo Cortellini

Burger Di Melanzane (Aubergine Hamburger) recipe by MasterChef: The Professionals contestant Danilo Cortellini

From Danilo Cortellini's book, 4 Grosvener Square, a lovely vegetarian alternative to the classic burger, these unusual aubergine burgers are very tasty and they make the perfect canapé choice for a summer cocktail party.

Ingredients

  • Serves: 4
  • Preparation time: 30 minutes
  • Cooking time: 15 minutes
  • Ingredients (for 4 people)
  • 2 large aubergines
  • 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 150g fresh ricotta
  • 100g Grana Padano cheese, grated
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tbsp breadcrumbs
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 12 small burger buns
  • 1 small bunch of basil
  • 1 small bunch of thyme
  • 10 cherry tomatoes

Method

Preheat the oven to 180°C.
Wash and peel the aubergines, cut them into rough cubes and add salt and pepper. Roast in a frying pan with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. Once cooked, blend into a paste to create a purée.
Mix the aubergine pulp with the ricotta, the Grana Padano and the egg. Season to taste. If the mixture is too soft to be worked, add a spoon of breadcrumbs. Make the burgers no bigger than 20g and gently coat them with breadcrumbs. Roast them in the oven for 8 minutes on a greaseproof tray.
Prepare each small bun with a spread of ricotta, a burger, half a cherry tomato and a basil leave. Roast whole burgers again to give them a crunchy texture.
Serve hot with bamboo sticks.

Built by Chefs. Powered by You.

For 17 years, The Staff Canteen has been the meeting place for chefs and hospitality professionals—your stories, your skills, your space.

Every recipe, every video, every news update exists because this community makes it possible.

We’ll never hide content behind a paywall, but we need your help to keep it free.

If The Staff Canteen has inspired you, informed you, or simply made you smile, chip in £3—less than a coffee—to keep this space thriving.

Together, we keep the industry connected. Together, we move forward.