A Cracking Burger

Ever had one of those meals you've longed to cook, and it all happened off the cuff on a Sunday afternoon? I always wanted to make burgers in the summer, and it's taken me until autumn to do this. It came to me when I was expecting Tarsh and Maz over Orange and Cardamom Ice-Cream in the afternoon, when I decided to make up burger buns (use the Basic Bread Recipe), and ended up using minced chicken for this recipe. There wasn't much talk when we got down to dinner! We also did get round to ice-cream for dessert.

Serves 6

12 Jacob's cream crackers
8 sprigs of fresh flat-leaf parsley
2 heaped teaspoons Dijon mustard
500g good-quality minced beef (or minced chicken)
1 large egg, preferably free-range or organic
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
olive oil
1 cos or round lettuce
3 tomatoes
1 red onion
3 or 4 gherkins
6 burger buns
optional: 6 slices of Cheddar cheese

To make your burger
Wrap the crackers in a tea towel and smash up until fine, breaking up any big bits with your hands, and put them into a large bowl. Finely chop the parsley, including the stalks. Add the parsley, mustard and minced beef (or chicken) to the bowl. Crack in the egg and add a good pinch of salt and pepper. With clean hands, scrunch and mix everything up well. Divide into 6 and pat and mould each piece into a roundish shape about 2cm thick. Drizzle the burgers with oil, put on a plate, cover and place in the fridge until needed (this helps them to firm up).

To cook your burger
Preheat a large griddle or frying pan for about 4 minutes on a high heat. Turn the heat down to medium. Place the burgers on the griddle or in the pan and use a spatula to lightly press down on them, making sure the the burger is in full contact. Cook them to your liking for 3 or 4 minutes on each side - you may need to cook them in two batches.

To serve your burger
Wash and dry a few small lettuce leaves, tearing up the larger ones. Slice the tomatoes. Peel and finely slice the red onion. Slice the gherkins lengthways as finely as you can. Place all this on a platter and put in the middle of the table with plates, cutlery, ketchup and drinks. Remove your burgers to another plate and carefully wipe your pan or griddle clean with kitchen paper. Halve your burger buns and lightly toast them on the griddle or in the pan. Also great with a chopped salad.

PS I'd still make this quantity even if it was just for 4 people. I'd wrap the extra 2 burgers in clingfilm and put them into the freezer.