Ultimate British Burger Recipes

THE BIG DOUBLE CHEESEBURGER & SECRET SAUCE

Steps:

• Tip the onions into a small bowl and pour over boiling water from the kettle until just covered. Leave to cool. Put all the sauce ingredients in another small bowl, then add 1 tbsp of the cooled onion water and mix until everything is evenly combined. Set aside.
• Halve two of the burger buns, then cut a thick slice from the middles of the other two buns. Toast or grill the middle slices on both sides and the other buns only on the cut sides, then set aside. Heat the oven to 100C/80C fan/gas 2.
• Divide the mince into four loose piles and season. Heat ¼ tbsp of the oil in a heavy frying pan or skillet over a high heat and put one of the piles of beef in the pan. Working quickly, cover with a square of baking parchment and carefully use a second pan to press the beef patties down - be careful of the heat and rising steam as you do this. Keep the patties pressed down for about 10 seconds, then remove the weight and the paper, and leave the burger to cook for 2 mins more. Turn the patties and press down using a spatula, cooking for another 1 min. Transfer to a tray and keep warm in the oven while you cook the other burgers in the same way.
• When all the patties are cooked, it's time to assemble the burgers. Spread some sauce over the bun bases, scatter with onions, then add lettuce, followed by a cheese slice, then a patty, a few gherkin slices and a middle slice of toasted bun. Spread over more sauce, then add more onions, lettuce, another patty and the bun tops. Serve with the oven fries and extra sauce on the side, if you like.

"ENGLISH" PUB BURGER

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.

BEST OF BRITISH BURGERS WITH TRIPLE-COOKED CHIPS

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.