Roasted Red Pepper and Grilled Halloumi Burger

Are you ready for this? We are almost at the end of my burger series, and number 4 does not disappoint!

As I was thinking about what would be a great combination of flavours my thoughts turned to my pantry and some of the things I preserved this last summer. I don't know about you but I don't always have time to roast peppers or red peppers in particular. I love roasted red pepper on sandwiches, in soups, in dips and many other dishes. A few summers ago I decided to try canning some roasted red peppers. I only did a few little jars to do a trial run on them. Well we liked them so much that this last summer I did a dozen jars, I am so happy I did because I have them anytime I need them now. 

How many of you have had Halloumi cheese before? I was first introduced to this cheese while at a Brazilian all you can eat meat house. When they brought out this cheese that was in a cast iron skillet, was crispy and salty, but still soft on the inside I was hooked! It took me forever to find out what kind of cheese it was. Now that I know what it is we have bought it a few times. If you are looking for a unique cheese to just grill up at your next BBQ then this cheese is it. 

Roasted Red Pepper and Grilled Halloumi Burger

Ingredients:

1 pound of ground lean ground beef
1 pound of ground pork
1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon of salt
1 teaspoon of pepper
2 Ciabatta buns or other gourmet hamburger buns
250 gram package of Halloumi cheese
2 tablespoons of chipotle red pepper whole grain mustard
1 - 500 ml jar of roasted red peppers in oil
2 large pieces of red leaf lettuce
olive oil

Directions:

In a large bowl add the ground meats, Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper. Using your clean hands mix it all together and form 2 to 4 good sized patties. Make them 1 inch thick and place on a plate off to the side.

Remove the haloumi cheese from the package, it should be in a rectangle or square shape. Cut the cheese into 1/4 inch slices and set aside. 

Heat two large frying pans/skillets on the stove top with a little splash of olive oil. You want them to be heated on a medium heat and to make sure they are screaming hot before using. In one pan cook your burger patties one at a time until you get a nice sear on both sides and the center is cooked through and no longer pink in the center. The other pan place the halloumi slices in, grill each side until deep brown and crispy, turn over and cook the other side the same. When both the patties and halloumi is done make your burger.

Cut the buns in half width wise. Spread a bit of the mustard on each cut side of the buns. Place lettuce leaves on the bottom portion of the bun, then add the burger patty, place the cheese on top of the patty. Remove the red peppers from the jar and shake off some excess oil, place on top of the cheese and then place the top of the bun on. 

​Enjoy!

Roasted Red Pepper and Halloumi Burger

This one was just a great balance of flavour. The Halloumi cheese is quite salty but it just balances and cuts through the fat and spice in the rest of the burger. This one was quite the mouth full and a good two handed hold kind of a burger. 

If you are just joining us and haven't checked out the other burgers then here is your chance...Burger 1: Bacon Jalapeno Guacamole Burger, Burger 2: Wild Boar Mushroom Swiss Burger, Burger 3: Greek Turkey Burger. 

Stay tuned for the final installment of the burger series coming soon!

Happy Eating!
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