Mozzarella (stuffed) Turkey Burgers

Taken and adapted from Eating Well

Ingredients:
Marinara Sauce

• 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups chopped plum tomatoes, with juices
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

Burgers

• 1 pound extra lean ground turkey
• 1/4 cup chopped scallions
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon freshly grated lemon zest
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil
• 4-8 slices low-fat mozzarella cheese
• 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 4 x 4-inch-square slices foccacia bread, (about 2 ounces each), toasted
• fresh & crisp romaine lettuce leaves (about 8-10)

Preparation

1. To prepare marinara: Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, cover and cook, stirring frequently, until translucent, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in fresh tomatoes and any juices, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes have broken down, 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in basil and remove from the heat. Transfer to a food processor and pulse to form a coarse-textured sauce. Return to the pan and set aside.
2. To prepare burgers: Place turkey, scallions, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, lemon zest, oregano, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, 1/4 teaspoon salt and basil in a large bowl. Gently combine, without over-mixing, until evenly incorporated. Form into 4 thick patties about 4-inches wide and 1/2 inch thick.
3. Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat . Add burgers and cook, turning once, until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the center registers 165°F, 8 to 10 minutes total on each side.
4. Warm the marinara on the stove. To assemble the burgers, place a slice (or two) of mozzarella cheese on one side of bread and spread 3 tablespoons of marinara, top with a burger, about 3 more tablespoons of marinara and top with romaine lettuce. 

Note:  The original recipe called for making "stuffed" burgers, which means that instead of making 4 thick turkey burgers and topping with mozzarella cheese...you would make 8 thin turkey burgers and stuff the center of two each with mozzarella cheese.  However, I decided NOT to stuff the burgers after I read several reviews of the recipe that described the cheese "stuffing" as oozing out and not being as enjoyable as simply topping a burger with cheese.  Please make the burgers to your own fancy!