Spicy Red Pepper Hummus Burger
Ingredients
Hummus
2 garlic cloves chopped
2 jalapenos, chopped with seeds
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
2 15oz cans chick peas, drained
1/3 cup tahini, well stirred
1 jar 12oz roasted red peppers, drained and chopped
3 1/2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice
3 Tablespoons canola oil
Patties
2 lbs ground sirloin 80% lean
3 garlic cloves minced
2 teaspooons black pepper
6oz pepper jack cheese, cubed
olive oil to brush the grill rask
3 large soy pitas, cut in half to form pockets
1 red onion sliced in rings, then halved
1 tomato sliced and then halved
1 1/2 cups romaine lettuce, shredded
Instructions
To make the hummus Place the garlic, jalapenos, and salt in a food processor. Blend well until a paste forms. Add the chick peas, tahini, peppers,and lemon. Process until blended. While the machine is running, add canola oil, blend until smooth. Put in a container and set aside. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. To make the patties Place the sirloin in a large bowl. Add minced garlic,kosher salt, and black pepper. Handling the meat as little as possible to not compact the meat, mix well. Using a small kitchen scale, separate meat into six 4 oz patties. With your thumb, dimple the center of each patty. Place 1 oz of the cubed cheese into the center of each patty. Gently secure the cheese into the center. Separate the remaining meat equally and cover the center of each patty, press lightly to cover the seam. Using the palms of your hands, roll lightly to form a rounder shaped patty. When the grill is ready, brush the grill rack with olive oil. Place the patties on the rack, cover, and cook turning once until done to preference 5-7 minutes on each side for medium. During the last few minutes of cooking, place the pita pockets on the grill for 15-20 seconds to warm only. Do not brown the pitas. TO prepare the burgers Remove the burgers from the grill to a cutting board. Slice each burger vertically into 3/4 – 1 inch slices. Do not use the ends for presentation. Spread the bottom of the pita pocket with 1 heaping Tablespoon of hummus. Top with 2 onion rings halved, the shredded romaine lettuce, the burger slices, and top with 1 tomato slice halved. Repeat with the remaining burgers. Makes 6 burgers