Plank Grilled Pepper Encrusted Cheeseburgers

You’ll need:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 cup coarse ground black pepper
• 4 (1/3 pound) hamburgers
• 1-2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1-2 teaspoons garlic salt
• 1-2 teaspoons seasoned salt
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 4 slices provolone or other semi-hard cheese
• 2 (12-inch) cedar planks
• Kaiser rolls or hamburger buns

Step 1:

Soak planks in water for at least 1 hour (turning over after 30 minutes)

Step 2:

Warm oil in a 10-inch skillet (preferably a cast-iron), add coarsely ground black pepper and sauté on high for 3 minutes then on medium for 7 minutes stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon. Set aside and let cool completely.

Step 3:

Season both sides of the patties with Worcestershire sauce and salts to taste. Spoon sautéed black pepper on each patty and spread around evenly (use less or more according to your taste), flip burgers over and add black pepper to other side. Cut butter into 4 patties and place one on top of each burger.

Step 4:

Pre-heat gas grill on high to 200 degrees.

Step 5:

Remove planks from water after one hour (or more) and place planks on hot grill to toast, about 2-4 minutes with lid closed. Open lid, flip planks over and toast on other side for another 2-4 minutes with lid closed, until planks begin to crackle and smoke.

Step 6:

Open grill lid and make sure planks are smooth side up and in the centre of grill. Set grill heat to medium indirect (if you have 3 burners, turn the middle one off and the other two to medium).

Step 7:

Using a spatula, place 2 burgers on each plank, close the lid and cook for 20-25 minutes, until burgers reach internal temperature of 70 degrees.

Step 8:

Place a slice of cheese on top of each burger and close lid until cheese melts (about 1-3 minutes).

If you would like toasted buns, place buns open side down around on grill. Watch closely and remove when toasted (2-4 minutes).

Enjoy!