Mediterranean Breeze

Ingredients

2 lb ground chuck
3 Tablespoons of Italian bread crumbs
2 Tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup chopped sun dried tomatoes
1 tsp. oregano
12 small, thin slices of eggplant
3 Tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup tomato sauce
1 tsp. oregano
6 pieces of Italian herb Focaccia bread
1 cup Italian blend shredded cheese

Instructions

For Patties: combine ground beef, bread crumbs, olive oil, sun dried tomatoes and 1 tsp. oregano. Mix thoroughly and form 6 patties.

Prepare medium hot fire in a charcoal grill or preheat gas grill to medium high setting. Once grill is ready, coat grill rack with vegetable oil and place burgers on grill and cover. Cook burgers 5-7 minutes on each side or until done to preference.

Meanwhile, brush eggplant with olive oil and grill each piece until it is cooked but still firm. Brush cut sides of Focaccia bread with olive oil and lightly toast each slice. To assemble burgers; place each burger on a slice of Focaccia bread and top each burger with shredded Italian Blend cheese and allow the heat from the burger to melt. Mix tomato sauce with 1 tsp. oregano and spread approx. 1 Tablespoon of tomato mixture on top of cheese. Place grilled eggplant slices on each burger and top with a slice of Focaccia bread.