Ultimate British Burger Recipes

Steps:

• Tip 500g beef mince into a bowl with 1 small diced onion and 1 egg, then mix.
• Divide the mixture into four. Lightly wet your hands. Carefully roll the mixture into balls, each about the size of a tennis ball.
• Set in the palm of your hand and gently squeeze down to flatten into patties about 3cm thick. Make sure all the burgers are the same thickness so that they will cook evenly.
• Put on a plate, cover with cling film and leave in the fridge to firm up for at least 30 mins.
• Heat the barbecue to medium hot (there will be white ash over the red hot coals - about 40 mins after lighting). Lightly brush one side of each burger with vegetable oil.
• Place the burgers, oil-side down, on the barbecue. Cook for 5 mins until the meat is lightly charred. Don't move them around or they may stick.
• Oil the other side, then turn over using tongs. Don't press down on the meat, as that will squeeze out the juices.
• Cook for 5 mins more for medium. If you like your burgers pink in the middle, cook 1 min less each side. For well done, cook 1 min more.
• Take the burgers off the barbecue. Leave to rest on a plate so that all the juices can settle inside.
• Slice four burger buns in half. Place, cut-side down, on the barbecue rack and toast for 1 min until they are lightly charred. Place a burger inside each bun, then top with your choice of accompaniment.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Heat a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat.
• For the sauce: Stir up the sour cream, horseradish, mustard, chives, dill and garlic in a small bowl and adjust salt to taste.
• For the burgers: Arrange the bacon on wire-rack-lined rimmed baking sheet or slotted pan. Bake until very crisp, 12 to 14 minutes.
• Combine the beef with grated onion, salt and pepper and Worcestershire sauce and score into 4 portions. Form 4 patties of the beef mixture thinner at center than edges for even cooking. Cook patties in a little oil, about 7 minutes, turning occasionally. Then melt 2 slices of cheese on the patties for a minute or so.
• While the patties cook, toast the English muffins. Lightly butter bottoms and add thinly sliced dill pickle chips.
• Place burgers on buttered side of muffin and top with 3 half-slices of bacon, watercress and horseradish sauce.

Steps:

• Put the potatoes in a large pan of salted cold water and boil for 6-8 mins or until tender. Drain well, return to the pan and shake with the lid on to fluff up the edges. Take care not to break up the chips too much.
• Heat the oil in your largest saucepan to about 150C, when a little piece of potato should just start to sizzle. Fry the chips for 5-8 mins until crisp but not brown. Dry thoroughly on kitchen paper and leave to cool.
• In a large bowl, mix together the beef mince, shallots, mustard, egg yolk and breadcrumbs until well combined. Divide into 4 equal portions and shape into burgers. Cover and chill the burgers in the fridge for at least 30 mins (you can prep these up to 2 days ahead).
• Heat a griddle pan until hot and coat the burgers in oil. Cook for about 10-12 mins, turning regularly, until cooked through. Leave to rest on a plate under some foil. Cook the bacon in the pan until really crisp, then set aside with the burgers. Place the cut side of the buns onto the griddle to toast slightly.
• Reheat the oil so that it's really hot - about 180C - and again cook the chips for 5 mins or so until golden. Drain and sprinkle over sea salt. Spread ketchup over the toasted buns and fill each with the burgers and other ingredients. Serve with the chips and some coleslaw, if you like.