Must Have Muffaletta Burger

I just came across this goody on the Food Network website. As a HUGE fan of the sandwich version I was so excited to see this I had to post.  I mean it is BBQ season...can't wait to heat the grill up!

Ingredients

• 12 slices Genoa or hard salami "bacon"
• 1 1/2 pounds good quality ground pork
• 1 small white onion, grated
• 2 medium garlic cloves, finely minced
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 2 teaspoons Greek seasoning (recommended: Cavender's)
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 8 slices provolone cheese
• Creole mayo, recipe follows
• 4 kaiser rolls
• Red onion, thinly sliced
• Shredded iceberg lettuce
• Good quality Italian olive salad, chopped (recommended: Boscoli brand)

For Creole Mayo:

• 3/4 cup good mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon Creole mustard (recommended: Zatarain's)
• Pinch salt
• Pinch freshly ground black pepper

Directions

For Salami Bacon:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a heavy large baking sheet with aluminum foil.

Arrange 12 salami slices in a single layer on the baking sheet. Bake until the salami slices are browned (much like bacon), watching closely to ensure they brown evenly, about 10 minutes. They will crisp as they cool.

Transfer the salami bacon to a paper towel-lined baking sheet to absorb the excess oil. Set aside to cool.

Do-Ahead Tip: The salami bacon can be made 8 hours ahead, and stored in an airtight container kept at room temperature.

For Burgers:

Combine the pork, onion, garlic, salt, Greek seasoning and black pepper in a large bowl and mix just until evenly combined, do not overmix). Form the meat mixture into 4 equal patties a little larger in diameter than the kaiser rolls, so that when they shrink after cooking they will fit the roll perfectly.

Heat a grill pan or outdoor grill to medium heat. Once the grill is hot, cook the burgers until the juices run clear and patties are firm to the touch, about 6 minutes per side. Do not overcook or the burgers will be dry and tasteless. Top each burger with 2 slices of the provolone cheese during the last 2 minutes of cooking to melt the cheese. Remove the burgers to a plate and tent with foil and allow to rest for a couple of minutes while you prepare the rolls.

For Creole Mayo:

Whisk all ingredients together in a small bowl.

To assemble the burgers:

Split the rolls in half and toast the cut surfaces lightly on the grill or in pan, just before the patties are done.

Spread Creole mayo on the bottom halves of the rolls and top with the burgers. Top each burger with 3 pieces of salami bacon, a thin slice of red onion, some lettuce, then a little of the chopped olive salad. Spread a little Creole mayo on the top half of each roll and cover the burgers. Press it down, grab some napkins, and ENJOY!!!!!

Courtesy: The Food Network