Mummy Burgers

Mummy burgers are a fun themed snack that can be particularly appreciated during the Halloween holiday, but it’s also fun to prepare at other times for a party or to surprise guests with something unusual. Here is an Italian-style version of this recipe:

Ingredients

• 500 grams ground beef
• 1 egg
• 50 grams breadcrumbs
• 2 garlic cloves
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Mozzarella slices or shreds
• 1 roll of puff pastry
• Black olives (for the eyes)
• Ketchup or tomato sauce (for serving)

Preparation

1. Start by mixing the ground beef with the egg, breadcrumbs, finely chopped garlic, salt, and pepper in a large bowl until you obtain a homogeneous mixture.
2. Shape the meat mixture into burgers and cook them in a nonstick skillet or on a grill until golden brown on both sides and cooked to your desired doneness.
3. While the burgers cool slightly, roll out the puff pastry and cut it into thin strips.
4. Lightly score the burgers from side to side so you can insert the mozzarella slices, being careful not to cut all the way through.
5. Wrap the puff pastry strips around the burgers, leaving spaces to simulate mummy bandages. Be sure to leave a small area free where the “eyes” will go.
6. Bake the mummies in a preheated oven at 180ºC for about 10-15 minutes or until the puff pastry turns golden.
7. As soon as they come out of the oven, use a piece of black olive to make the mummies’ eyes by inserting them into the spaces left free in the puff pastry.
8. Serve the mummy burgers hot with ketchup or tomato sauce as desired.

Trivia

This recipe is a lighthearted reinterpretation of the classic burger and, thanks to the puff pastry, lends itself to a creative presentation and rich flavor. In Italy, it’s common to experiment with classics, and this is one of those variations that shows how food can be both nourishing and fun and theatrical.