Beef is wonderfully versatile. You can throw it in a stir fry, roast it in the oven, whack it in a curry or simply grill it on the barbeque and you are bound to create something tasty.
To make things a bit easier for you, the team at Bord Bia’s Food Advisory Centre has come up with just the recipe to satisfy your craving for beef.
Beef burger with tomato relish
These fantastic burgers with all trimmings make the perfect barbecue meal. They could also be cooked on a ridged griddle or frying pan. If you prefer you can buy a relish, there are lots of good ones available.
Ingredients (serves four )
675g of minced beef
1 red onion
2 tablespoons of olive oil
1 small leek, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 mild red chilli, seeded and finely chopped
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
400g of can chopped tomatoes
1 tablespoon of shredded fresh basil
4 burger buns, split in half
2 tablespoons of low-fat mayonnaise
1 little gem lettuce, separated into leaves
50g of blue cheese, crumbled
To cook
To make the relish
Cut the onion in half, cut one half into thin slices and reserve for garnishing, then finely chop the other half.
Heat the olive oil in a pan and gently fry the onion and leek for a few minutes until softened but not coloured.
Stir in the garlic and chilli, then season to taste and cook for another minute.
Tip in the tomatoes and allow to bubble for eight to 10 minutes or until the relish is well reduced and slightly thickened, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat, check the seasoning and then stir in the basil.
To make the burger
If using a charcoal barbecue, light it 30 minutes before you want to start cooking. If using a gas barbecue, light it 10 minutes beforehand.
Divide the beef into four portions. Then, using wet hands, shape into patties that are 2.5cm thick.
Sprinkle a teaspoon of the pepper all over the burgers.
Add to the grill rack and cook for four minutes on each side for rare, six minutes each side for medium, and eight to nine minutes for well-done.
Serving suggestions
Toast the cut sides of the burger buns on the grill rack and place the bottom halves on warmed plates.
Add a smear of mayonnaise followed by the lettuce.
Top with the burgers, then add the crumbled blue cheese and reserved onion slices.
Add the burger buns to the side and place a small bowl of the tomato relish on each plate to serve.
