Havana Joe Burgers Stuffed with Goat Cheese and Picadillo Peppers

Pairs well with:

Zinfandel

Bright and full-bodied, this Zinfandel wine is a curious contradiction in tastes.

Ingredients

3 tablespoons coffee beans
2 tablespoons black peppercorns
1 ½ tablespoon brown sugar
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
3 tablespoons fresh parsley, flat leaf works best
2 lbs ground chuck
ounces goat cheese cut into 6 equal slices
1 large red bell pepper sliced thin
1 medium onion sliced thin
2 cloves garlic minced
½ cup tomato sauce
1 tablespoon fresh cilantro, chopped
½ teaspoon kosher salt
Vegetable oil, for brushing the grill
1 teaspoon kosher salt
6 Kaiser rolls split
1 lime, cut into 6 equal slices

 

Instructions

Prepare a medium-hot fire in a charcoal grill with a cover, or preheat a gas grill to medium-high. To make the rub, in a food processor fitted with a metal blade, add coffee beans, peppercorns, brown sugar, cayenne and parsley. Pulse on high speed for 15 seconds, 3 to 4 times to make a medium coarse grind. (like coarse sand). Place in shallow bowl. To make the patties, divide the beef into 12 equal parts and lightly form into patties 5”, handling as little as possible to avoid compacting. Crumble 1 slice of goat cheese in center to within ½” of edges of 6 of the patties, place other 6 patties on top and lightly press edges to seal. Place patties one at a time into the rub, pressing to coat all sides. Place on plate cover with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate until ready to grill. To make the picadillo peppers, place oil in a sauté pan and set on the grill add peppers and onions and cover grill. After 2 minutes open grill and stir peppers and onions, continue sautéing for 5 minutes with grill covered, stirring occasionally. Add garlic and tomato sauce to pan, stir and cover grill, cooking to reduce by half, about 10 minutes. Stir in cilantro and salt cover pan and set to edge of grill rack to keep warm. Brush the grill with oil, place the patties on the rack, cover and grill for 4-5 minutes. When ready to turn sprinkle with a pinch of salt and flip patties and sprinkle with a pinch of salt, continue to grill for 4-5 minutes longer or until done to preference. During last few minutes remove pan will picadillo and place rolls cut side down to toast lightly. To assemble the burgers, place patties on roll bottoms, top with peppers divided equally and squeeze with lime juice. Add the roll top and serve. Makes 6 brugers