Bonfire Burgers Recipes

BANH MI BURGER

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, combine water, vinegar, sugar and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil; whisk until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat. Add carrots and radish; let stand until serving. Shape beef into four 3/4-in.-thick patties. Sprinkle with pepper and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt. , In a 12-in. cast-iron or another heavy skillet, cook burgers over medium heat until a thermometer reads 160°, 8-10 minutes on each side. Remove and keep warm. Wipe pan clean. In the same pan, toast rolls over medium heat, cut side down, 30-60 seconds. Spread rolls with mayonnaise. Drain pickled vegetables. Serve burgers on rolls with pickled vegetables, cucumber and cilantro.

BONFIRE BANGERS & BEANS

Steps:

• Heat 2 tbsp oil in a large flameproof casserole. Add the onion, celery and bacon, then cook for 5-10 mins until softened. Turn up the heat and add the tomato purée. Cook for 2 mins, then add the chopped tomatoes, sugar, mustard, thyme, Worcestershire sauce and 200ml water, then bring to the boil. Cook, uncovered, over a low heat for 15 mins. Add the beans and peppers, then simmer for 15 mins more, topping up with a little boiling water if needed.
• Meanwhile, heat oven to 190C/170C fan/ gas 5. Toss the sausages with remaining 1 tbsp oil and spread out on a baking tray. Cook for 30 mins until browned all over, turning occasionally. Nestle the sausages among the beans, then cover and place the pan in the oven. Cook for 30 mins more. Remove from the oven, sprinkle over the parsley, if using, and serve with the baked potatoes (see 'Goes well with'). Can be made up to 2 days in advance and reheated in a low oven or on the hob.

BONFIRE BURGERS

Steps:

• Combine first 6 ingredients; mix well.
• Shape into 8 patties.
• Wrap a slice of bacon around each patty, securing with a toothpick.
• Grill patties over medium coals 8 to 10 minutes on each side or until desired degree of doneness.
• Place patties on bottom of buns. Top each with lettuce leaf, onion, and tomato slices; cover with bun tops.

MOLTEN CHEESE-STUFFED BURGERS

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a frying pan over a medium heat and fry the onion with a good pinch of salt for 15 mins until soft and translucent. Add the pancetta and cook for 5 mins more, then add the garlic and thyme, and cook for 2 mins. Remove from the heat and leave to cool for 15 mins.
• Tip the mince into a large bowl. Massage with your hands for 5 mins to tenderise the meat, then add the cooled onion mix, the breadcrumbs and egg yolk. Season generously. Divide evenly into four, weighing for accuracy, if you like. Mix the cheddar and mozzarella together. Form the beef portions into patties, patting each into a 10cm round. Divide the cheese mixture into four, and, in your hands, form each portion into a firm ball, then press into a roughly 4cm disc. Working one at a time, put a cheese disc into the centre of a beef patty, then bring the meat around the cheese to cover. Lightly pat with the palm of your hand to flatten slightly, then chill, covered, for at least 30 mins or up to 48 hrs.
• Make the sauce by whizzing the mayonnaise, mustard and herbs together in a small food processor. Stir through the gherkins, then cover and chill until ready to use.
• Light the barbecue. When the flames have died down, grill the burgers on each side for 4-5 mins until charred (if you don't have a barbecue, see tip, below). Wrap individually in foil and leave on the barbecue for 5-7 mins so the cheese centre melts.
• Grill the buns, cut-side down, for 1-2 mins until toasted. Spread all the cut sides with the sauce, then fill with the beef patties, lettuce, tomatoes and crispy onions.

BONFIRE NIGHT BAKED POTATOES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Prick the potatoes all over with a fork, then rub with half the oil, some sea salt and black pepper. Arrange on a baking tray and bake in the oven for about 1 hr 15 mins, until their skins are crisp and they are completely tender when prodded.
• Meanwhile, heat the remaining oil and half the butter in a frying pan. Add the onion and gently cook for 15-20 mins until softened and golden. Remove from the pan and set aside, add the chopped bacon and fry until just crisp. Remove using a slotted spoon and place on kitchen paper.
• Halve each potato lengthways (watch out, they will be hot), then scoop out most of the potato into a bowl, leaving a potato skin shell with a thin layer of potato. In the bowl, crush the potato with the remaining butter and the double cream. Season with salt and pepper. Fold through the onion, bacon, three-quarters of the cheeses and half the parsley. Spoon back into the potato shells and top with the remaining cheese. Transfer to the baking tray and return to the oven for 10-15 mins, until melting and golden. Sprinkle with the remaining parsley and serve with a sharply dressed crisp salad, if you like.