Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Goat Cheese Stuffed Turkey Burgers with Roasted Red Pepper Relish

Posted by Erin Wilburn / 7 comments » / burgers, goat cheese, turkey

It’s that time of the year isn’t it?  Burgers and grilling!  The Boy loves burgers… CRAVES burgers.  If he’s eating out, he’ll likely go for a bison-burger, or local organic grass-fed beef.  Here at home, I like to make chicken and turkey burgers.  I found this recipe while browsing the Epicurious App on my iPhone one night.  This might be my favorite recipe app.  You can browse by categories, such as “Grilling Entrees, Ice Cream, Low-Fat”, or simply type in an ingredient, like ground turkey, and you can easily flip through the recipes that come mainly from Gourmet & Bon Appétit, but also from SELF magazine.  With a click you can add a recipe to your favorites, a shopping list, or email it to yourself.  I highly recommend this app if you’ve got an iPhone.  (PS. Can I add I am SO FREAKING EXCITED ABOUT iPhone 4?!  I still have the 8GB original iPhone.  I’ve had it for well over 2 years, and I’m SO READY for the new one!)

This recipe was a huge hit with us.  The relish had a sweet flavor, with just the slightest hint of a sour tang from the vinegar.  Having the goat cheese stuffed inside the burger made for a delicious surprise!  Goat cheese is such a rich, savory, & salty addition to balance all the flavors.

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Goat Cheese Stuffed Turkey Burgers with Roasted Red Pepper Relish

from Bon Appétit July 1996, via Epicurious

Ingredients:

Burgers:
1 1/2 pounds lean ground turkey
6 tablespoons fresh breadcrumbs
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons grated lemon peel
2 teaspoons dried thyme
1 1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
6 tablespoons soft fresh goat cheese (such as Montrachet)

Relish:
3 tablespoons olive oil
4 7-ounce jars roasted sweet red peppers, rinsed, drained, patted dry, chopped
1 1/2 cups chopped onions
3 teaspoons finely chopped garlic

4 1/2 tablespoons cider vinegar
3 tablespoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

6 whole wheat, hamburger buns

Directions:

Combine turkey, breadcrumbs, lemon juice, lemon peel, thyme, salt and pepper in large bowl. Mix well. Divide turkey mixture into 6 equal portions. Form 1 portion into two 4-inch diameter patties. Place 1 tablespoon goat cheese atop 1 turkey patty; place second patty atop cheese. Seal patties at edges to enclose cheese. Repeat with remaining 5 portions. (Can be prepared 4 hours ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)

Heat oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add red peppers and sauté 2 minutes. Add onions and garlic. Cook until onions are tender, stirring frequently, about 5 minutes.

Mix vinegar and sugar in small bowl until sugar dissolves. Stir vinegar mixture into red peppers. Mix in mustard and cayenne pepper. Season with salt. Continue cooking relish until all liquid has evaporated, stirring frequently, about 6 minutes. Cool to room temperature. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature before using.) Makes about 2 cups.

Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat). Grill burgers until cooked through, about 5 minutes per side. Grill hamburger buns, cut side down, until lightly toasted, about 1 minute. Place turkey burgers on bottom half of buns. Top burgers with Roasted Red Pepper Relish, then bun tops and serve.