Italiano Goat Chesse Burgers
Ingredients
Green and Black Olive Tapanade (can be prepared up to 3 days ahead):
1 packed cup pitted Nicoise or Kalamata olives
1 cup pitted large green olives
12 oil packed sun-dried tomatoes
6 large garlic cloves
2 tablespoons fresh basil
2 tablespoons olive oil
Fried eggplant:
1/3 cup olive oil
1 small eggplant, sliced into 6 inch slices
1 large egg
1 cup Italian style breadcrumbs
Burgers:
non-stick cooking spray
1.5 lb freshly ground beef
1 egg
1 cup Italian style bread crumbs
¼ cup red onion, diced
¼ cup green pepper, diced
¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes, packed in oil and diced
3 garlic cloves minced
¼ cup parmesan cheese, grated
½ teaspoon salt
4 oz. goat cheese
Garlic Sesame Buns:
6 large sesame seed hamburger buns
4 tablespoons margarine
1½ teaspoons garlic powder
Instructions
1.) In a large food processor on highest speed, process olives until well chopped, add sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and fresh basil. Process until well blended and forming a paste. On a low setting, slowly add oil until well blended. Reserve for later in refrigerator. There will be extra tapanade. 2.) Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Dip sliced eggplant in egg, then breadcrumbs, being sure to thoroughly coat both sides. Place in skillet and fry each side for 2-3 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. Set on paper plate to cool and remove oil. 3.) Spray grill rack with non-stick cooking spray. Pre-heat grill on medium-high heat. Place beef in a large mixing bowl. Add egg, bread crumbs, red onion, green pepper, sun-dried tomatoes, minced garlic, parmesan cheese, and salt. Use hands to mix ingredients together, kneading as you would dough. 4.) Equally divide meat mixture into 6 parts. Round each into a ball and flatten. Cut goat cheese into 6 parts, each about ½ tablespoon. Place goat cheese in center of meat patty; fold meat over cheese completely surrounding cheese. Re-shape into patty, being sure cheese is not exposed. 5.) Cook burgers over medium-high heat 6-7 minutes each side or until char-broiled. 6.) Cut hamburger buns; spread margarine on top and bottom, then sprinkle top and bottom with garlic powder. Place in oven on large cookie sheet at 400 degrees for 5 minutes or until browned. 7.) Place burgers on garlic buns, top with a slice of fried eggplant and 1 tablespoon tapanande. Enjoy!