1/2 cup purchased roasted red pepper, cut into strips
1 tablespoon finely chopped pitted ripe olives
2 teaspoons olive oil
2 teaspoons snipped fresh thyme or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, crushed
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
2 tablespoons fine dry bread crumbs
2 tablespoons catsup
1 tablespoon prepared horseradish
1 tablespoon prepared mustard
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 pound extra-lean ground beef
4 slices smoked or regular mozzarella cheese
4 whole wheat hamburger buns, split and toasted
Fresh basil leaves
For relish, combine red sweet pepper strips, ripe olives, olive oil, thyme, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a food processor bowl. Cover and process with several on-off turns until coarsely chopped. Cover and chill until ready to serve.
Combine onion, bread crumbs, catsup, horseradish, mustard, salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a medium mixing bowl. Add ground beef; mix well. Shape the meat mixture into four 3/4-inch-thick patties.
Grill patties on the rack of an uncovered grill directly over medium coals for 14 to 18 minutes or until internal temperature of burgers reaches at least 160°F with an instant-read thermometer, turning once halfway through cooking.
Top each patty with a cheese slice the last 2 minutes of grilling.
Serve each burger on a toasted whole wheat bun with fresh basil leaves and 1 tablespoon red sweet pepper relish.
Makes 4 servings.