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a cracking burger
© David Loftus

a cracking burger

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There’s nothing better than a home-made burger. Everyone loves them, they’re easy to make and, if made with quality, fresh ingredients (and not overladen with greasy stuff), they certainly don’t have to be unhealthy, especially if served with a salad. Once you’ve mastered this tasty basic recipe, you can make it your own with different herbs, spices and toppings.The sky’s the limit – that’s why cooking is so exciting.

To make your burger

Wrap the crackers in a kitchen 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 ground beef 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 mold each piece into a roundish shape about 3/4-inch thick. Drizzle the burgers with oil, put on a plate, cover and place in the refrigerator until needed (this helps them to firm up).

To cook your burger

Preheat a large grill pan or frying pan for about 4 minutes on a high heat. Turn the heat down to medium. Place the burgers on the grill pan or in the frying pan and use a turner to lightly press down on them, making sure 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 pickles lengthways as thinly as you can. Place all this on a platter and put it in the middle of the table with plates, cutlery, ketchup, and drinks. Transfer your burgers to another plate and carefully wipe your frying pan or grill pan clean with paper towels. Halve your burger buns and lightly toast them on the grill pan or in the frying pan. You could also serve your hamburgers 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 plastic wrap and put them in the freezer.

ingredients


• 12 cream or plain crackers, such as Jacob's
• 8 sprigs of fresh Italian parsley
• 2 heaped teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 1 pound good-quality ground beef
• 1 large egg, preferably free-range or organic
• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
• Olive oil
• 1 romaine or butterhead lettuce
• 3 tomatoes
• 1 red onion
• 3 or 4 pickles
• 6 burger buns

Optional: 6 slices of Cheddar cheese

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tried this recipe or a similar one? share your tips...
1. by Jessica on Sat 19 May 2012 @ 15:01

These were the best burgers ever! I used horseradish beer mustard and ritz crackers, being all we had on hand, and my husband loved them. I had to use dry parsley but am anxious to make them with fresh next time.

2. by nelly on Sat 05 May 2012 @ 17:49

Nomnomnom. Made these just now and they are delicious. Sooooo simple too. Even my two year old liked them. Thanks Jamiem

3. by Anna on Mon 30 Apr 2012 @ 08:35

I cook the burgers in a sandwich press (as well as bacon for my BLTs). They turn out nice and flat and the right size for the buns. Told the participants at the Ministry of Food where I volunteer every week, and they had a crack.

4. by Paul on Sat 28 Apr 2012 @ 20:50

By far the best burger ever!

5. by jimmy munday on Sun 25 Mar 2012 @ 21:03

Made these, but1/2 pound beef and1/2 pound minced pigeon breasts and some minced home-grown red chille, minus the seeds, and a duck egg I scrounged---Spot On, Jamie !!

6. by david gray on Mon 20 Feb 2012 @ 16:03

BLIMIN PUKKA :)<br />

7. by Rab B on Sat 11 Feb 2012 @ 21:31

AMAZING DIS WUZ DA BEST BURGR EVA

8. by Haylz on Wed 16 Nov 2011 @ 20:50

EXCELLENT!! it is such an easy recipe to follow. they the BEST burgers by far!! Thank you Jamie!! <br />

9. by Paul on Sat 05 Nov 2011 @ 18:37

I've made these burgers on two occasions now best burgers ever<br /> <br /> <br />

10. by Abbie on Thu 03 Nov 2011 @ 11:12

Visited Jamies Ministry of Food today with a school group. The ladies made these burgers which were fantastic :) I will make them at home for the family.

11. by JT on Tue 25 Oct 2011 @ 16:56

Absolutely fab recipe.....working full time, getting home, cooking seems a hassle. Took no time to prepare and everyone LOVED them. Thank you, yet again, Jamie!! (I added a couple of finely chopped chilli's to mine to add a bit of spice)

12. by Jamie Oliver on Sat 22 Oct 2011 @ 19:00

Thanks for all the comments guys

13. by nic and james on Sun 02 Oct 2011 @ 16:03

me and the other half have made these twice now the kids love them, we put crispy smoked streaky bacon on the top too, even more delish yum yum

14. by tania on Tue 16 Aug 2011 @ 08:36

this is really the best burger i ever had.

15. by Olivia on Wed 20 Jul 2011 @ 13:59

You can also substitute the mustard ( as i don't like mustard ) with worcestershire sauce, easily just as nice :)

16. by Tara on Sat 02 Jul 2011 @ 11:27

Made these (again) tonight...they are awesome!!! I'm in Aust so use SAO's instead of Jacob's crackers - works really well. I am over generous with the parsley, dijon mustard and i put a tspn of garlic in and i use 2 eggs (rather than put in the fridge to firm)...and tonight i put in a 1/3 of pork mince along with the beef...IT WAS DELICIOUS and very flavoursome...best burger ever!!!

17. by Tabz on Sat 04 Jun 2011 @ 01:16

Made this tonight! So good.

18. by tremault on Fri 13 May 2011 @ 16:04

I don't have cream crackers, but i saw they are made of wheat flour. <br /> surely I can substitute the crackers with weetabix?

19. by Stevie G on Tue 26 Apr 2011 @ 15:07

Amazing!! So easy to rustle up and easily the tastiest burger ever!!

20. by Peter on Tue 19 Apr 2011 @ 04:10

My wife and I cooked these up the other night. WOW!!, best burger we have ever had. Might have them for dinner again tonight.

21. by JenM0050 on Wed 02 Feb 2011 @ 18:24

Best burger ever make it all the time!

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