BUILD A BETTER BURGER…
WITH COLAVITA EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL!

Colavita is proud to be a sponsor of Sutter Home Family Vineyards’ 18th annual Build a Better Burger Contest.  Can you build a better burger?  Whether your patty is 100% beef or a clever alternative, with Colavita Extra Virgin Olive Oil as an ingredient, you’re always ready to meet the challenge, and hopefully take home the $50,000 Grand Prize!*

To learn more about the Build a Better Burger Contest which is accepting recipe submissions as of April 15, 2008, click here: www.buildabetterburger.com

If you’re looking for inspiration, be sure to check out the site’s “Burgerbase,” the World's Largest Burger Database!  It houses over 5,000 mouthwatering burger recipes submitted over the years by contestants just like you.  Whether you want to search for burgers that use your favorite ingredients or find just the right wine pairing for your favorite burger, the easy to navigate database has it all.

Want to see if your burger has what it takes to make it to the finale in Napa? Why not host your very own Great Burger Debate ’08.  Invite your friends and neighbors to join in on the fun .  Sharpen your skills by hosting an informal competition in your own back yard and ask the attendees to vote for the best burger.

Here are some tips from Colavita to help you
Build a Better Burger…

• Before lighting or igniting the grill, brush the grill rack lightly with Colavita olive oil to keep burgers from sticking.

• Enhance the bun with a few drops of Colavita Extra Virgin Olive Oil or use a flavored oil like Colavita Pepperolio, Basilolio, or Garlicolio to complement the burger.

• Looking for an alternative to ketchup and mustard?  Think pesto…From the Italian word pestare which means “to pound”, pesto is simple to prepare.  In a food processor, make a paste with a handful of basil, a few nuts, a clove or two of garlic, salt and pepper to taste.  With the motor running, pour Colavita Extra Virgin Olive Oil slowly through the feed tube till the mixture is smooth.  For a richer pesto, add a few tablespoons of grated cheese.  Spread a spoonful of pesto on each bun, top with burgers, and serve.

Try these enticing pesto recipes from the Colavita Recipe Archive:
Classic Pesto
Green Olive Pesto
Basil Walnut Pesto
Basil Pesto (a lighter option)

• Make your own mayonnaise in a blender or food processor and you’ll never reach for store-bought again.  All you need is an egg or egg yolk, lemon juice, a pinch of salt, and Colavita Extra Virgin Olive Oil.  Experiment with different flavorings such as garlic, mustard, horseradish, or minced pickles (for tartar sauce).

Try these suggestions from the Colavita Recipe Archive for a vibrant, fresh mayo:
Lemon Mayonnaise
Brandy Mayonnaise
Tomato Basil Mayonnaise

• Top your burger with the classic Italian summer salad of basil, mozzarella cheese, and tomato.  Drizzle with your favorite Colavita Extra Virgin Olive Oil, some of your homemade pesto, and a pinch of freshly ground black pepper.

• Add color and height – plus a healthy dose of antioxidants – to your burger!  Slice eggplant, zucchini, yellow squash or other summer veggies into flat strips, brush with Colavita Extra Virgin Olive Oil, and grill for 1-2 minutes on each side.  Stack on top of burgers before serving.

• Fire-proof skillets are legit for the Build a Better Burger Contest.  Add flavor to garlic, onions, and mushrooms by sautéing those toppings in Colavita Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

• If you’re using grains in your burger, add a tablespoon of Colavita Extra Virgin Olive Oil to the mixture to help keep it moist.

• Colavita’s authentic Italian Extra Virgin Olive Oil is available in supermarkets and specialty food stores nationwide and at www.GourmetStore.net

A word of caution:  to prevent fires from flaring up, do not use Colavita Extra Virgin Olive Oil – or any other type of oil – directly over the grill.  Brush the grill racks with oil only when the grill is unlit, never brush the racks of a lit grill.

Ready to enter the 2008 Build a Better Burger Contest?
Click here to get started! www.buildabetterburger.com

* For complete rules, visit www.buildabetterburger.com.  All entries must be directed according to the terms on the official Sutter Home Family Vineyard’s Build a Better Burger site.  Colavita cannot accept entries.