Tapenade Filled Burgers Food

TAPENADE-FILLED BURGERS

Steps:

• Divide beef into 6 portions. Divide 1 portion in half, then flatten 1 half into a 4-inch patty and form a 1/4-inch rim around patty. Spread 1 1/2 tablespoons of tapenade onto patty within rim. Flatten remaining half into a 4-inch patty, then lay on top of tapenade-covered half and pinch edges together to seal. Pat side to form a straight-sided edge and transfer to a large tray. Make 5 more tapenade patties in same manner and transfer to tray, then refrigerate patties, covered, until ready to grill.
• Prepare grill for cooking over direct heat with medium-hot charcoal (moderately high heat for gas); see "Grilling Procedure< >."
• Sprinkle patties on both sides with salt and pepper. Lightly oil grill rack, then grill patties (covered only if using a gas grill), turning over once, 3 minutes total for medium-rare. (Burgers will continue to cook slightly after being removed from grill.)
• Spread mayonnaise and mustard on buns, then assemble burgers with onion, pickles, and romaine.

GRILLED CHEESE-STUFFED BURGERS

Steps:

• 1. Preheat a grill over high heat. Divide the meat into four 6-ounce balls. Press 4 small cubes of cheese into the center of each ball and flatten into a 1/2-inch-thick patty about 4 inches in diameter, making sure the cheese stays wrapped in the meat. Sprinkle both sides of the patties evenly with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Wrap each burger in a piece of nonstick aluminum foil, twisting any excess foil at each end so the burger is wrapped in a single layer of foil only. Mix the ketchup and Worcestershire together in a small bowl.
• 2. Grill the burgers for 5 minutes per side. Remove from the grill and carefully open up the foil packets, allowing the steam to escape. Place the opened foil packets back on the grill, add a spoonful of sauce to the top of each patty and continue to cook until the patty is cooked to at least medium to allow the cheese inside to fully melt, another 4 to 6 minutes.
• 3. On the bottom half of each bun, spread a bit of sauce and top with a lettuce leaf, onion slice and tomato slice. Top with a patty, another spoon of the remaining sauce and the top of the bun. Serve with chips or fries.

TUNA BURGERS WITH TAPENADE

Steps:

• Prepare the barbecue (medium-high heat). Grill the baguette pieces, cut side down, until lightly toasted, about 2 minutes. Remove and set aside.
• Combine the olives, capers, 1 tablespoon of oil, lemon juice, parsley, lemon zest, and anchovy in a food processor. Pulse just until the olives are finely chopped. Season the tapenade with salt and pepper.
• Drizzle the tuna with the remaining oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill the tuna until golden and seared on the outside, and just opaque in the center, about 2 minutes per side.
• Stir the mayonnaise and mustard in a small bowl to blend. (The tapenade and Dijon-mayonnaise can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover separately and refrigerate. Bring the tapenade to room temperature before using.)
• Spread the Dijon-mayonnaise over the bottom and top halves of the baguette pieces. Top with red peppers and red onion. Cut the tuna steaks across the grain into 1/2-inch thick slices. Arrange the tuna slices atop the onions. Spoon the tapenade over the tuna. Top with the lettuce then the baguette tops, and serve.

TAPENADE FILLED EGG HALVES

Steps:

• Soak anchovies in water for 30 minutes, drain well, pat dry & coarsely chop.
• Pound the olives in a mortar together w/the anchovy fillets, tuna, mustard & capers. When well-pounded, pass mixture thru a sieve into a bowl.
• Gradually incorporate the olive oil, a generous amt of black pepper & the Cognac into the mixture.
• Remove egg yolks from the hard-boiled egg halves & crush them in a mortar w/about 1/2 cup of the tapenade, adding a sml amt of olive oil as needed to make the mixture smooth. Store remainder of tapenade as described in intro.
• Fill ea egg half w/mixture (shaping into a dome w/the blade of a sml knife) & serve immediately.
• NOTE RE TUNA: The recipe recommends using fresh tuna that is poached, drained, boned & skinned. Frankly I find that very labor intensive for such a sml amt, so consider canned tuna an appropriate sub.

BEST TAPENADE EVER

Steps:

• In a food processor or blender, chop green olives, black olives, and artichoke hearts in batches until just spreadable; pour into a mixing bowl. Puree banana peppers and red bell pepper until just spreadable; mix into olive mixture.
• Stir in garlic, capers, basil, lemon juice, and olive oil until well blended. Tapenade will keep in refrigerator for up to 1 week.

MOLTEN CHEESE-STUFFED BURGERS

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a frying pan over a medium heat and fry the onion with a good pinch of salt for 15 mins until soft and translucent. Add the pancetta and cook for 5 mins more, then add the garlic and thyme, and cook for 2 mins. Remove from the heat and leave to cool for 15 mins.
• Tip the mince into a large bowl. Massage with your hands for 5 mins to tenderise the meat, then add the cooled onion mix, the breadcrumbs and egg yolk. Season generously. Divide evenly into four, weighing for accuracy, if you like. Mix the cheddar and mozzarella together. Form the beef portions into patties, patting each into a 10cm round. Divide the cheese mixture into four, and, in your hands, form each portion into a firm ball, then press into a roughly 4cm disc. Working one at a time, put a cheese disc into the centre of a beef patty, then bring the meat around the cheese to cover. Lightly pat with the palm of your hand to flatten slightly, then chill, covered, for at least 30 mins or up to 48 hrs.
• Make the sauce by whizzing the mayonnaise, mustard and herbs together in a small food processor. Stir through the gherkins, then cover and chill until ready to use.
• Light the barbecue. When the flames have died down, grill the burgers on each side for 4-5 mins until charred (if you don't have a barbecue, see tip, below). Wrap individually in foil and leave on the barbecue for 5-7 mins so the cheese centre melts.
• Grill the buns, cut-side down, for 1-2 mins until toasted. Spread all the cut sides with the sauce, then fill with the beef patties, lettuce, tomatoes and crispy onions.

TAPENADE-STUFFED CHICKEN BREASTS

Steps:

• Place the first 8 ingredients in a food processor; pulse until tomatoes and olives are coarsely chopped. Cut a pocket horizontally in the thickest part of each chicken breast. Fill with olive mixture; secure with toothpicks., Lightly coat grill rack with cooking oil. Grill chicken, covered, over medium heat or broil 4 in. from heat 8-10 minutes on each side or until a thermometer inserted in stuffing reads 165°. Sprinkle with cheese. Discard toothpicks before serving.