RECIPE FOR BEEF BURGERS RECIPES

Steps:

• 1. Wrap the crackers in a tea towel and smash up until fine, breaking up any big bits with your hands, then tip into a large bowl.
  2. Finely chop the parsley (stalks and all), then add to the bowl with the mustard (if using), and the minced beef.
  3. Crack the egg into the bowl, then add a good pinch of sea salt and black pepper.
  4. With clean hands, scrunch and mix everything up well. Divide into 6 and pat and mould each piece into a roundish shape, roughly 2cm thick.
  5. Place the burgers onto a plate, drizzle with oil, then cover and place in the fridge until needed – this will help to firm them up.
  6. To cook the burgers, preheat a large griddle or frying pan for 4 minutes on a high heat, then turn the heat down to medium.
  7. Place the burgers on the griddle or into the pan, then use a spatula to lightly press them down, making sure the burger is in full contact with the pan.
  8. Cook the burgers for 3 or 4 minutes on each side, depending on how you like them – you may need to work in batches.
  9. Meanwhile, wash and dry a few small lettuce leaves, tearing up the larger ones. Slice the tomatoes, peel and finely slice the red onion, then slice the gherkins lengthways as finely as you can.
  10. Place all the veg toppings, and the cheese (if using) on a platter and put in the middle of the table with plates, cutlery, ketchup and drinks.
  11. Once cooked, remove the burgers to a plate and carefully wipe the pan clean with a ball of kitchen paper.
  12. Halve the burger buns and lightly toast them in the pan, then serve up.

Steps:

• 1. You can make these burgers or sliders in an oven at full whack, on the barbecue or in a hot pan. If you’re using the oven or barbecue, preheat it now.
  2. Peel and finely chop the onions. Put a splash of olive oil into a large frying pan on a low heat and add your onions. Fry for 10 minutes or until the onions have softened, then put to one side to cool completely.
  3. Blitz your crackers or bread (remove the crusts first) in a food processor until you get a fine consistency. Oil a clean baking tray and put aside.
  4. Put the cooled onions into a large bowl with the rest of the burger ingredients. Use clean hands to scrunch the mixture together really well, then divide into 6 equal balls for burgers and 18 equal balls for sliders.
  5. Wet your hands and roll the balls into burger-shaped patties about 2cm thick. Place your burgers or sliders on the oiled baking tray and pat with a little olive oil. Cover them with clingfilm and put the tray into the fridge for at least an hour, or until the patties firm up.
  6. This is a good time to make your spicy mayo, so put mayo, yoghurt, ketchup and smoked paprika into a bowl, squeeze in the lemon juice, mix well and put to one side.
  7. If using a frying pan or griddle pan, put it on a high heat now and let it get really hot. However you decide to cook your burgers, they’ll want around 3 or 4 minutes per side – you may have to cook them in batches if your pan isn’t big enough.
  8. When your burgers or sliders are nearly cooked on one side, add the rashers of bacon – whichever way you’re cooking them – then flip the burgers and cook the bacon until golden and crisp.
  9. When the burgers are cooked to your liking and it’s all looking really good, halve your burger buns and warm them through. Put the bacon on a plate lined with kitchen paper to drain.
  10. Click off the lettuce leaves, wash and spin dry. Slice the tomatoes and gherkins.
  11. When everything comes together, pop your burgers or sliders on to their buns, add all your lovely toppings and your spicy mayo (you know how to put a burger together!), then tuck in with a lovely fresh salad, baked potato or potato wedges.