2 1/4 lbs. Ground beef sirloin, 80% lean
1 tsp. Soy sauce
1/4 tsp. Granulated garlic
1/4 cup Onions, diced, sauteed in butter, cooled
1 tsp. Parsley, chopped
Salt to season
Fresh ground black pepper to season
6 – 8 slices Smoked Gouda Cheese
6 each Large hamburger buns
1/4 cup Melted butter
Chef Larry’s Roasted Red Pepper Aioli (recipe follows) as needed
6 each Green leaf lettuce leaves, rinsed and patted dry
12 eachRipe tomato slices
6 each Bermuda onion slices
6 each Pickle spears
Vegetable chips for service

Method

Prepare Chef Larry’s Roasted Red Pepper Aioli per recipe, reserve. Preheat grill or bbq. Prepare lettuce leaves, sliced tomato and onions, reserve under refrigeration. Place ground beef in a mixing bowl.

Add soy sauce, granulated garlic, cooked diced onion and parsley. Season with salt and fresh ground black pepper, mix well. Separate meat mixture into six portions and form into patties stuffing a slice of smoked Gouda cheese in the center. Cut remaining Gouda cheese slices into lightning bolts, reserve.

Place burgers on preheated grill / bbq or grill pan and cook to desired doneness. Split buns and brush with melted butter and grill until golden brown.

Place Gouda cheese “lightning bolts” on burgers to melt. Place toasted buns on a serving platter and drizzle with Chef Larry’s Roasted Red Pepper Aioli. Top with cooked burgers. Garnish with lettuce leaves, sliced tomatoes, onions and pickle spears. Serve with vegetable chips.

Makes 6 Servings

Chef Larry's Roasted Red Pepper Aioli

Ingredients

1/4 cup Roasted red peppers, pureed
1/2 tsp. Garlic, minced
1/2 cup Light mayonnaise
1 each Fresh squeezed lemon
6 each Large basil leaves, minced
1 tsp. Parsley, chopped
Salt to taste
Fresh ground black pepper to taste

Method

Combine roasted red pepper puree, mayonnaise, garlic, lemon, fresh basil and parsley in a mixing bowl. Mix thoroughly and season with salt and pepper. Reserve under refrigeration until service.

Use as a condiment for grilled meat, fish or poultry.

Yields approximately 2/3 cup