HOT SAUSAGE BURGERS WITH BROCCOLI RABE

Hot Sausage Burgers with Broccoli Rabe image

Yield serves 4

Number Of Ingredients 20

1 3/4 to 2 pounds ground pork (ask your butcher for a coarse grind)
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, 1/3 palmful
2 teaspoons sweet smoked paprika, 2/3 palmful
1 1/2 teaspoons ground fennel or fennel pollen or 1 teaspoon fennel seed
1 teaspoon ground sage, 1/3 palmful
1 teaspoon granulated onion, 1/3 palmful
1 teaspoon granulated garlic, 1/3 palmful
Salt
EVOO (extra-virgin olive oil) for drizzling, plus 1 tablespoon
1 cup tomato sauce
3 tablespoons dark brown sugar
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
Black pepper
1 small bundle of broccoli rabe, trimmed of tough ends
1 large or 2 small garlic cloves, finely chopped
Freshly grated nutmeg
4 thick deli slices sharp Provolone cheese
4 ciabatta rolls or other crusty rolls, split
Olive oil and rosemary or herb-flavored fancy potato chips, store-bought

Steps:

Combine the pork with the red pepper flakes, paprika, fennel, sage, granulated onion, granulated garlic, and salt. Form 4 patties and drizzle with EVOO to coat.
Heat a small pot over medium-low heat, add the tomato sauce, brown sugar, Worcestershire, vinegar, and black pepper, then cook for 15 minutes or until thickened to steak-sauce consistency.
Bring a couple inches of water to a boil in a medium skillet, salt the water, and cook the broccoli rabe for 5 minutes, then drain. Place the skillet back on the stove and heat the tablespoon of EVOO over medium heat. Add the chopped garlic; chop the broccoli rabe into 2-inch pieces and sauté it in the garlic and oil for 2 minutes. Season with nutmeg to taste.
While the water comes to a boil for the broccoli rabe and the tomato sauce reduces, heat a drizzle of EVOO in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the burgers and cook for 5 to 6 minutes on each side. Melt a slice of provolone over the patties during the last minute of cook time. Tent the pan with foil to help the cheese melt.
To serve, pile broccoli rabe on each roll, top with a cheesy sausage patty, and set the top of the roll in place with a slather of warm sauce. Place some chips alongside.