Hamburgers

Serves: n/a
Approx cost: €3.50 (for 2 burgers)
Approx calories (per serving): 600 (per burger)
Approx preparation and cooking time: 30 mins

I don’t think you can beat a good burger, and when they’re this easy to make, why would you actively choose to eat the bilge they’re dishing out in fast food joints around the globe? You can obviously customise burgers to your heart’s content, but I don’t think you can get better than a basic bun, good patty, fresh, crisp lettuce, a good slice or two of fresh tomato and some hefty rings of onion – add a bit of ketchup and a dab of mayonnaise and you’ve got yourself a great sandwich. The actual cooking part of this recipe is pretty low, so in this post I’m going to focus on the internals of the burger, just as much as the meat part itself. With that said – grab a pile of minced beef and let’s get cracking!

Ingredients

Ingredients you'll need for this dish

For 1 hamburger, with one patty
– 120g Minced Beef
– 1 large Burger Bun
– 1 pinch Salt Flakes

To Garnish
– 1 Cheese Slice
– large Tomato
– Onion
– Fresh lettuce
– Pickled Gherkins/Cucumbers
– ~3 tsps Mayonnaise
– ~3 tsps Ketchup

Instructions

1. Start by mixing the minced beef in a large bowl with the salt. Be sure to mix the meat well so it resembles a paste. For each 120g of Minced Beef, form a ball in your hands. Place a large cookie cutter (about 10cm in diameter) onto a non-stick baking tray (or frying pan) and place the ball in the centre. Press down well to fill the cookie cutter, ensuring that it is an even height all over, and then carefully remove the cookie cutter. Grill, or fry, for about 5-7 minutes on each side, or until brown. The patty will shrink as fat and water comes out, so push down on the top using a spatula periodically to ensure if stays thin and flat.
   
   
   
   




2. While the burgers are cooking, cut your onion and tomato into slices and wash and pat-dry the lettuce. Cut the pickle into strips or slices and set aside. Once the patties are cooked, remove from the heat and leave to one side while you cut the burger buns in half.
   
   
   
   
   




3. Place the burger buns white side up under a grill and toast lightly, before removing from the heat. Meanwhile, add a cheese slice on to the top of each beef patty and place under the grill for about 1 minute to melt the cheese.
   
   
   
   




4. Apply the condiment of your choice onto the bun and spread around lightly.
   
   
   
   




5. Place some lettuce on the base, and then layer the patty(ies) on top before topping off with a generous helping of onion, tomato and pickles and voilà – you have one damn tasty burger!

Nom nom