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Molten cheese-stuffed burgers

A molten cheese-stuffed burger cut in half

Molten cheese-stuffed burgers

Name: Molten cheese-stuffed burgers
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 1 h 20 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 1½ tbsp olive oil; 1 onion very finely chopped; 70g smoked pancetta finely chopped; 1 garlic clove crushed; 4 thyme sprigs, leaves picked; 500g lean beef mince (no more than 10% fat); 50g fresh breadcrumbs; 1 egg yolk; 60g mature cheddar grated; 60g grated mozzarella; 120g mayonnaise; 2½ tsp English mustard; ½ small bunch of parsley finely chopped; ½ small bunch of basil; 50g baby gherkins finely chopped; 4 seeded burger buns split; 2-3 Little Gem lettuces leaves separated; 2 ripe tomatoes sliced; crispy fried onions

Esther Clark

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Serves 4

Easy

Prep: 45 mins

Cook: 35 mins

A star rating of 4.8 out of 5.25 ratingsRate

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Take burgers to the next level by stuffing them with cheddar and mozzarella for a gooey centre, and topping them with a dollop of herby burger sauce

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Ingredients

Nutrition

Units:

MetricUS

1½ tbsp olive oil
1 onion

very finely chopped
70g smoked pancetta

finely chopped
1 garlic clove

crushed
4 thyme

sprigs, leaves picked
500g lean beef mince

(no more than 10% fat)
50g fresh breadcrumbs
1 egg yolk
60g mature cheddar

grated
60g grated mozzarella

For the herby burger sauce

120g mayonnaise
2½ tsp English mustard
½ small bunch of parsley

finely chopped
½ small bunch of basil
50g baby gherkins

finely chopped

To serve

4 seeded burger buns

split
2-3 Little Gem lettuces

leaves separated
2 ripe tomatoes

sliced
crispy fried onions

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Nutrition: Per serving

kcal654
fat49g
saturates13g
carbs11g
sugars4g
fibre2g
protein40g
salt2.1g

Method

step 1

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.
step 2

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.
step 3

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.
step 4

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.
step 5

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.

RECIPE TIPS

COOK ON THE HOB

If you don’t have a barbecue, heat a frying pan over a medium heat and wipe with a little oil. Cook the burgers for 4-5 mins on each side, or until golden. To melt the cheese centre, transfer to a baking sheet and bake for 10 mins at 220C/200C fan/gas 8.

Recipe from Good Food magazine, June 2020

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A star rating of 4.8 out of 5.25 ratings

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