Ingredients
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1 large garlic clove, crushed under a knife and peeled
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2 red bell peppers (grilled or broiled, skins and seeds removed)
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2 teaspoons sherry wine or 2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
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1 teaspoon sweet paprika, preferably smoked paprika (such as pimentà n de La Vera)
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1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
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3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
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salt
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2 teaspoons salt
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1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
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2 lbs ground beef round (85% lean)
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1/4 cup sliced natural almonds
Instructions
- Build a fire for banked grilling in an outdoor grill.
- For a charcoal grill, let the coals burn until they are covered with white ash. Spread out the mound of coals into a bank, with one side about two coals deep, and the other side of the slope with a scattering of single coals.
- For a gas grill, preheat the grill on High.
- Leave one side on High and turn the other side to Low.
- In both cases, you will have two areas for cooking, one hot and the other cooler.
- To make the romesco, with the machine running, drop the garlic through the feed tube of a food processor fitted with the metal chopping blade to finely chop it.
- Add the almonds, red peppers, vinegar, paprika, and oregano.
- With the machine running, gradually add the oil, then season with the salt and pepper.
- Transfer the sauce to a bowl. (The romesco can be made up to 2 weeks ahead, covered and refrigerated. Bring to room temperature before serving.).
- Working as gently and quickly as possible (overmixing compacts the meat and makes tough burgers), mix the ground round, salt, and pepper.
- Lightly form into 4 patties about 4 inches wide.
- Make an indentation, about 2 inches wide and ½ inch deep, in the center of each burger to help it keep its shape during grilling.
- Lightly oil the cooking grate.
- Place the burgers on the hot area of the grill.
- Cover and cook, turning once, until the outside is seared with grill marks, about 2 minutes per side.
- Move the hamburgers to cooler side of the grill and cover.
- Cook, turning once, until the hamburgers feel somewhat firm but not resistant when pressed in the center, about 4 minutes for medium-rare.
- If using a meat thermometer, insert it horizontally through the side of the burger to reach the center --it should read 125°F.
- During the last 2 minutes, top each burger with the cheese, and place the buns on the grill to toast lightly and warm through.
- Place a burger in each bun, top with a large dollop of romesco sauce, and serve immediately.