Description
Take a trip to the Balkan region with this flavorful burger.
Ingredients
Scale
- 5 lb ground beef or lamb
- 3 tbsp tomato paste
- 3 tsp oregano
- 2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp spicy paprika
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 2 shallots, finely chopped
- 10 oz feta cheese, sliced approximately ¼ inch thick
For the roasted pepper relish:
- 4 red bell peppers, whole
- 2 spicy cubanelle peppers
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 red onion, peeled and finely chopped
- 1 clove garlic, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp cayenne or spicy Spanish paprika
- 1 tsp black pepper
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Remove meat from refrigerator approximately 45 minutes prior to preparation.
- In a large mixing bowl, knead together all ingredients except feta cheese.
- Shape approximately ¾ cup of the mixture into a ball. Flatten it and create a hollow in which to place a slice of feta. Close the mixture over the top of the feta. Repeat until all the meat is used.
- Grill the cheese-filled patties on medium heat, until done to medium.
- Eat while piping hot with roasted pepper relish and a side of cucumber salad.
For the roasted pepper relish:
- Roast whole red and cubanelle peppers on a medium grill until moderately charred. Place in a tightly covered bowl to cool. Once cool, remove skin, stems and seeds. Do not rinse in water!
- Sautee onions and garlic in olive oil until tender.
- Add red wine vinegar, cumin, cayenne or paprika, black pepper. Cook for a minute or two.
- Turn off the heat and add roasted peppers. Stir. Cover tightly and let cool to room temperature.
- Serve when cool. Store in refrigerator in a covered container for up to one week.