Ingredients:

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

Preparation:

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.