Handmade Burgers with Cebolla Caramelizada

Don't buy burgers. Make them!! Another recipe you can easily put your own personal twist on if you like, or keep it simple for a sumptuously juicy, tastylicious beef burger. The quality of the mince is important, always look at the fat content and keep it low. Or better still, buy it fresh from a butcher.

The burgers:

• 400g minced beef
• fresh green herbs (your choice)
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 2 small dried chillies, finely chopped
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 egg, beaten
• salt and pepper

The caramelised onion:

• one onion, finely chopped
• 2 tbsp sugar

1. Throw mince, a good handful of green herbs (basil or mint a great one in this recipe), the crushed garlic, chillies and paprika in a bowl. Mix well with your hands, massaging the meat as you go to make it even more tender, before adding the egg, salt and pepper. Heat up some oil in a pan now if you plan on making homemade chips.

2. Slip the onion in a pan with the sugar and keep on a low heat to caramelise. Heat up a griddle pan and using your hands separate the meat into 3/4 balls and mould into chunky burgers. On a medium-high heat place the burgers on the griddle with a tiny glug of olive oil.

3. While the burgers are cooking, slice up a few potatoes into chunky chips and shallow fry (only when oil is very hot!). When they turn golden brown (after 4-5 mins) fish them out and place them on kitchen towel to drain off the excess fat. Sprinkle with sea salt.

4. When the burgers are cooked to your liking, toast a bun and place the juicy burger on top and dust with a dollop of caramelised onion and mayo. Serve with the crispy homemade chips and a fresh green salad. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!!!!