Active Time

　　50 min

　　Total Time

　　50 min

　　Tucked inside these juicy chuck burgers is a pocket of rich, salty tapenade. To experience the full range of flavors, build your burger with all the Accompaniments — the bite of red onion and the sweet crunch of gherkin pickles are key.

　　

Ingredients

Makes 6 servings

　　2 1/4 pound lean ground beef chuck

　　9 tablespoons black or green olive tapenade (sometimes labeled "olive paste")

　　3/4 teaspoon salt

　　1 teaspoon black pepper

　　6 grilled or toasted hamburger buns or kaiser rolls

　　Accompaniments: mayonnaise; coarse-grain mustard; thinly sliced red onion; thinly sliced sweet gherkin pickles; about 2 cups baby romaine lettuce

　　

Step 1

Divide beef into 6 portions. Divide 1 portion in half, then flatten 1 half into a 4-inch patty and form a 1/4-inch rim around patty. Spread 1 1/2 tablespoons of tapenade onto patty within rim. Flatten remaining half into a 4-inch patty, then lay on top of tapenade-covered half and pinch edges together to seal. Pat side to form a straight-sided edge and transfer to a large tray. Make 5 more tapenade patties in same manner and transfer to tray, then refrigerate patties, covered, until ready to grill.

　　

Step 2

Prepare grill for cooking over direct heat with medium-hot charcoal (moderately high heat for gas); see "<"">Grilling Procedure< >."

　　

Step 3

Sprinkle patties on both sides with salt and pepper. Lightly oil grill rack, then grill patties (covered only if using a gas grill), turning over once, 3 minutes total for medium-rare. (Burgers will continue to cook slightly after being removed from grill.)

　　

Step 4

Spread mayonnaise and mustard on buns, then assemble burgers with onion, pickles, and romaine.

　　Cooks' notes:

　　· Patties can be assembled up to 8 hours ahead and chilled, covered. · If you can't grill outdoors, patties can be cooked on a lightly oiled well-seasoned large (2-burner) ridged grill pan over moderately high heat, turning over once, 4 minutes total for medium-rare.