Goat Cheese Stuffed Hamburgers With Two Olive Spread Recipes

GOAT BURGER

Steps:

• Mix mayonnaise, vinegar, pesto and cumin in a mixing bowl and set aside.
• Heat griddle or grill to high heat.
• Form meat into 6 patties, then sprinkle with seasoned salt and place on grill. Sear until brown, about 2 minutes, then flip and repeat for other side. Reduce heat to medium and continue cooking until desired temperature is reached.
• Heat butter in skillet on medium heat and add onion. Cook, stirring occasionally, until caramelized and a golden-brown color.
• Place mozzarella on patties and let it melt. (It can help to put the cheese on a minute or two before the meat is totally cooked, to keep the moisture in and not overcook the meat.)
• Add the onion on top of the cheese and place patties on bottom buns. Top with liberal amount of sauce, 3 tomato slices and the bun tops.
• Serve while hot.

GOAT CHEESE-STUFFED HAMBURGERS WITH TWO-OLIVE SPREAD

Steps:

• In a bowl, combine the ground sirloin and basil and mix well. Shape into 6 thick patties. Make a pocket in the center of each patty, fill each pocket with 1 tablespoon of the goat cheese, and cover with the meat. Press into patties 3/4 inch thick. Heat grill pan or saute pan over medium-high heat. Spray lightly with nonstick cooking spray, and add the burgers. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes on the first side, flip, and cook 4 to 6 minutes on the second side for medium-rare, or until desired doneness. To serve, place the burgers on the toasted bun halves and top each burger with 2 tablespoons of the olive spread. Top with lettuce and tomato and finish with the top of the bun.
• In a food processor fitted with the metal blade, combine the olives, chopped pepper, capers, parsley, and cayenne pepper and process until coarsely chopped. Then use on-off pulses while slowly adding the olive oil until it is absorbed. Taste for seasoning. Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate until ready to use.
• ADVANCED PREPARATION: Can be prepared up to 1 week ahead, covered, and refrigerated.

GOAT CHEESE-STUFFED TURKEY BURGERS WITH ROASTED RED PEPPER RELISH

Steps:

• For Burgers:
• Combine turkey, breadcrumbs, lemon juice, lemon peel, thyme, salt and pepper in large bowl. Mix well. Divide turkey mixture into 6 equal portions. Form 1 portion into two 4-inch diameter patties. Place 1 tablespoon goat cheese atop 1 turkey patty; place second patty atop cheese. Seal patties at edges to enclose cheese. Repeat with remaining 5 portions. (Can be prepared 4 hours ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
• Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat). Grill burgers until cooked through, about 5 minutes per side. Grill hamburger buns, cut side down, until lightly toasted, about 1 minute. Place turkey burgers on bottom half of buns. Top burgers with Roasted Red Pepper Relish, then bun tops and serve.
• For Relish:
• Heat oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add red peppers and sauté 2 minutes. Add onions and garlic. Cook until onions are tender, stirring frequently, about 5 minutes.
• Mix vinegar and sugar in small bowl until sugar dissolves. Stir vinegar mixture into red peppers. Mix in mustard and cayenne pepper. Season with salt. Continue cooking relish until all liquid has evaporated, stirring frequently, about 6 minutes. Cool to room temperature. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature before using.) Makes about 2 cups.

CHEESE-STUFFED BURGERS FOR TWO

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the first 5 ingredients. Crumble beef over mixture and mix well. Shape into 4 thin patties. Sprinkle cheese over 2 patties; top with remaining patties and press edges firmly to seal. , Grill burgers, covered, over medium heat 5-6 minutes on each side or until a thermometer reads 160°. Serve on buns, with lettuce and tomato if desired.

HAMBURGERS (WITH GOAT CHEESE)

Steps:

• Preheat broiler to high.
• Divide beef into 4 portions. Shape each into hamburger-shaped rounds, each about an inch thick. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place wire rack on baking dish and arrange patties over it. Put meat under broiler, inch or two from source of heat, and leave broiler door slightly ajar. Cook about 3 minutes on one side if you wish meat rare. If you prefer it more well done cook up to 6 minutes on one side, then turn and continue cooking 2 to 4 minutes.
• Meanwhile, crumble cheese and top each portion of meat with equal portions of cheese, pressing to keep mounds of cheese intact. Return cheese-topped patties to broiler and let broil about 2 minutes until the cheese is browned on top and partly melted.
• Sprinkle top of each patty with chopped tarragon.

GOAT CHEESE-STUFFED LAMB BURGERS WITH CARAMELIZED RED ONIONS

Steps:

• Make the onions:
• In a 3-quart saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion and salt, toss to combine, and cover. Cook for 20 minutes, stirring several times to ensure that the onion does not stick to the pan. Add the beer, stir, cover, and cook for 10 minutes. If the onion is deeply caramelized and the liquid has mostly evaporated, it's perfection. If not, cook for a few minutes more. Set aside.
• Make the burgers:
• In a large bowl, combine the lamb, garlic, smoked paprika, cayenne, and mint. Mix well. Set aside 4 tablespoons of the lamb mixture and divide the remaining lamb into four equal portions. Shape them into patties slightly larger than the width of the burger bun. Using your thumb, make a well in the center of each patty, going halfway through the lamb.
• Divide the goat cheese into four portions and place them in the thumb divots. Flatten each tablespoon of reserved burger mixture into a disc and place on top of the goat cheese. Pinch the edges to encase the cheese in the lamb. Season both sides of each patty with salt and pepper.
• In a large skillet, melt the butter with the olive oil over medium heat. Fry the burgers for 4 to 5 minutes per side for medium doneness.
• Place the burgers on the buns and top each with 1 tablespoon mayo, some caramelized onions, bacon, and 1/4 cup arugula.

GRILLED HAMBURGERS WITH GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Heat grill to medium. In a large bowl, place ground chuck and herbs. Season with salt and pepper. Using your hands, mix ingredients together until combined. Form into 6 patties; set aside.
• Brush the tomato and onion slices with oil, and season with salt and pepper. Grill the tomato and onion slices until slightly charred on both sides (onion should be tender), 4 to 6 minutes for tomatoes and 6 to 8 minutes for onions. Remove from the grill, and keep warm.
• Grill hamburger patties, 3 to 5 minutes per side for medium-rare. When they have reached desired doneness, place cheese on top of each patty. Grill until cheese is slightly melted.
• To serve, stack slices of onion and tomato on a serving platter with romaine and endive. Place hamburgers on top.

GOAT CHEESE STUFFED LAMB BURGERS

Steps:

• Heat 1 teaspoon of olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir the onions in the oil until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
• Gently knead together the softened onions, lamb, egg, bread crumbs, garlic, salt, and pepper. Divide the mixture into 6 parts and roll into balls, then cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
• Mix together the goat cheese, extra-virgin olive oil, basil, and oregano until well combined; cover and chill for 5 minutes.
• Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat.
• Working with one portion of meat at a time, make an indentation in the center of the ball with your thumb. Fill the indentation with a heaping tablespoon of the goat cheese mixture. Gently pull and form the meat patty around the cheese filling, making a burger-shaped patty. Repeat with each ball of the lamb mixture.
• Grill the patties on the preheated grill until no longer pink in the center and well done, about 8 minutes per side.

CHEESE STUFFED OLIVES

Steps:

• Place cream cheese, goat cheese, Parmesan, basil, roasted garlic, and salt and pepper into a food processor; pulse until smooth and well blended. Spoon filling into a cookie press or pastry bag (a plastic baggie with the corner cut out will also work), and fill olives.