Crafting the Perfect Homemade Hamburgers: A British Delight

There's something undeniably satisfying about sinking your teeth into a juicy, flavour-packed hamburger. 

While fast-food joints and takeaways offer convenience, nothing quite beats the joy of creating your own masterpiece at home. Today, we embark on a culinary journey to craft the perfect homemade hamburgers, elevating this classic dish to new heights of deliciousness.

Selecting the Finest Ingredients:

The foundation of any great hamburger lies in its ingredients. Begin with high-quality ground beef, preferably a blend with an 80/20 ratio of lean meat to fat, ensuring a juicy and flavourful patty. For a gourmet touch, consider experimenting with alternative meats like lamb, turkey, or even plant-based options for a vegetarian twist.

Next, embrace the versatility of toppings. Opt for fresh, locally sourced vegetables such as crisp lettuce, ripe tomatoes, and thinly sliced onions to add vibrant colours and textures. Elevate your creation with premium cheeses like sharp cheddar, creamy brie, or tangy blue cheese for an indulgent experience.

Crafting the Perfect Patty:

Achieving the ideal hamburger patty requires finesse and attention to detail. Begin by gently shaping the ground beef into uniform discs, being careful not to overwork the meat, which can result in tough burgers. Season generously with salt and pepper, or experiment with a custom blend of spices to suit your taste preferences.

When it comes to cooking, embrace the sizzle of the grill or the sear of a hot skillet. Aim for a medium-high heat to achieve a golden-brown crust while maintaining a juicy interior. Remember, patience is key—avoid the temptation to press down on the patties, as this releases precious juices and leads to dry burgers.

Assembling the Ultimate Burger:

Now comes the moment of truth—assembly. Start with a sturdy bun, lightly toasted to provide a crisp contrast to the tender patty. Layer on your chosen condiments, whether it's classic ketchup and mustard or gourmet aiolis and relishes, to enhance the overall flavour profile.

Next, arrange your toppings with care, ensuring an even distribution of ingredients for every bite. For added decadence, consider incorporating unconventional additions like caramelised onions, avocado slices, or crispy bacon for an extra burst of flavour and texture.

Finally, crown your creation with the second half of the bun, gently pressing down to meld the components together. Serve immediately alongside your favourite side dishes, whether it's crispy fries, tangy coleslaw, or a refreshing salad, and prepare to savour the fruits of your labour.

Conclusion:

In the realm of homemade delights, few dishes rival the satisfaction of a perfectly crafted hamburger. By selecting the finest ingredients, mastering the art of patty perfection, and assembling with care, you can elevate this classic comfort food to gourmet heights right in the comfort of your own kitchen. So, gather your ingredients, fire up the grill, and embark on a culinary adventure that's sure to delight your taste buds and impress your guests. Here's to the joy of homemade hamburgers—a British classic reimagined with passion and flair.

Don't want to give up burgers for Veganuary? Don't worry! Beyond Meat has your plate covered!

Here are some awesome Veganuary burger recipes because life is too short to give up beautiful burgers in January!

Leading plant-based meat brand, Beyond Meat, has revealed their ultimate winter burger recipes for Veganuary.

These recipes, made with Beyond Meat’s range of iconic burgers, are designed to look, cook and taste like meat and will allow meat-eaters, veggies and flexitarian’s to eat more of what they love, without having to compromise on taste or sustainability. They are the absolute perfect choice when looking for indulgent comfort this winter, these recipes will also provide inspiration for those looking to pop a burger on their weekly dinner menu this month and beyond, too.

Beyond Meat’s ultimate winter burgers include:

Brazilian-style Beyond Burger with Chimmichuri – made with the iconic Beyond Burger, this recipe is packed with sunshine flavours to brighten up dark January days. Sure to add a little zing, this recipe will appeal to carnivores this Veganuary due to its great meaty taste. The Beyond Burger is the winner of several taste tests including the Good Housekeeping UK’s Best Vegan Burger.

The Beyond Chicken-Style Katsu Burger – featuring the new Beyond Chicken-Style burger, that’s crispy on the outside thanks to the golden breading, and incredibly tender and juicy on the inside. This plant-based burger packs a punch with 15 grams of protein per 100g. The burger is loaded with even more goodness, a homemade slaw and a mouthwatering warming katsu sauce – sure to take the chill out of any cold January evening.

Double Caramalised Onion Smash Burger with Chilli Jam Relish – made with the Beyond Smash Burgers – for a thin, juicy and crunchy burger, this recipe is the ultimate Friday Night fakeaway treat. Loaded with plant-based cheese and bacon, before being topped with onions and a chilli jam relish to give brilliant comfort.

For more delicious plant-based Veganuary recipe inspiration please visit Beyond Meat, here https://www.beyondmeat.com/en-GB

That's Food and Drink would like to thank Gemma and Beyond Meat for their helping in bringing these delicious recipes to you, our readers.

Frankie & Benny's launch very special £15 dine for two deal!

With this latest offer from Franky & Benny's you can beat the cost of living crisis and save up to £11 on your next meal out!

"This is not just an offer, this is a Frankie & Benny’s offer!"

Top Italian American restaurant Frankie & Benny’s has launched its best ever offer - two main meals for just £15!

Nothing brings people together like great food and a great deal, which is why Frankie & Benny’s have introduced a budget-busting offer especially for the month November.

From today until November 24, anyone who books can choose two mains for just £15 from a selection of their classic dishes.

Enjoy the new ‘Best Burger Ever’ Classic Cheeseburger (normal price £13.10), Classic Dog (normal price £12.00), Bolognese pasta (normal priced at £13.10), Arrabbiata pasta (normal price £12.00), Margherita 10” pizza (normal price £10.90), all with gluten free and there are vegan options available, too.

The special deal is available Monday to Friday and all you'll need do is book via the Frankie & Benny’s website to receive the voucher code to redeem the offer.

The exclusive deal is available Monday to Friday and all you have to do in order to receive your code is to book via the Frankie & Benny’s website.

Head of Marketing, Alexandra Gaunt, said: “In the run up to December we all start feeling the pinch. The nights are dark, the temperature drops and everyone is trying their best to save for Christmas, so we wanted to offer our fans a way to take a break without breaking the bank- as well as save on the washing up!”

Earlier this month Frankie & Benny’s launched its new autumn menu featuring the ‘Best Burger Ever’.

Executive Head Chef Ben Keegans said: “My team and I worked hard for months perfecting our burger and we believe we've created the best burger ever! We’ve always been very proud of this dish but this one has the best British beef, the best bun and the best relish ever. It’s all about the burger and we think we’ve cracked it. Hope you like it as much as we do!”

The new and improved Autumn menu is about the best burger ever, a number of new dishes and how the team of chefs have improved Frankie & Benny’s customer-favourite recipes including the Hot Dog, lasagne, meatballs, calzones, lemon meringue pie and the new buttermilk chicken burger.

 And to wash down all the new dishes Frankie & Benny’s have crafted crowd-pleasing cocktails just for the job. The Strawberry Daquiri, specially made to order and served with crushed ice and back by popular demand, the electrifying Purple Rain re-joins the cocktail line-up too.

The Frankie & Benny’s team are also working hard to reduce food waste and encourage all customers to ask for containers to take home any unfinished food.

 They are also proud of their continued support of the Trussell Trust, a charity helping the UK’s largest network of food banks in the UK. For every Margherita pizza sold, 20p will be donated to the charity.

Full Terms & Conditions: https://www.frankieandbennys.com/terms

https://www.frankieandbennys.com

Burger & Lobster launches £10 Whole Lobster for National Lobster Day across all London restaurants

The celebratory offer will be available to guests for one day only on 25th September 2023.

With September marking the end of the summer season and the annual celebration of National Lobster Day, London’s favourite home of all things surf and turf is delivering a legendary offer to guests for one day and one very special day only, £10 whole lobster and lobster rolls.

This month, Burger & Lobster are on a mission to celebrate all things lobster, entice new and returning guests into their restaurants for the big day and more importantly, they'll continue bringing half of its namesake offering to the masses at an unbeatable price without compromising quality.

Seafood-loving diners will be able to enjoy a selection of both locally-supplied, British Isles lobsters alongside the restaurant’s classic Canadian wild-caught lobsters at a fraction of their usual price, steamed or grilled to absolute perfection. 

Or they can indulge in one of their beloved lobster rolls dressed with lemon mayo, chives and served in a toasted brioche bun. Each comes served with a portion of crisp B&L fries and their signature unctuous lemon and garlic butter, included in the £10 deal.

The premium eatery chain isn't a stranger to offering a good deal, it's known for serving well-priced and indulgent fare in plush settings with guests now being able to enjoy an even more elevated experience as the chain’s estate recently underwent a complete refurbishment this year.

In anticipation of National Lobster Day, Misha Zelman, Founder and CEO at Burger & Lobster Restaurant Group says: “We're not just celebrating lobsters, we're celebrating the extraordinary collaboration between our dedicated suppliers, our cherished restaurant guests and our esteemed peers within the industry. 

"To honour this partnership, we're thrilled to give away £10 lobsters and lobster rolls to all our guests on National Lobster Day in London. It's a small token of our appreciation for the unwavering support that fuels our passion for delivering the finest lobsters to your plate. I look forward to celebrating this Lobster Festival with as many of you as possible”

The offer of £10 lobsters and £10 lobster rolls will be available all-day, for one day only on Monday 25th September 2023 across all Burger & Lobster restaurants. The promotion will also be available to customers ordering via Deliveroo on National Lobster Day.

For more information, and to book a reservation, please visit their website here http://www.burgerandlobster.com.

Big Daddy Burgers! Morrisons launches giant burger in cafés for Father's week

Morrisons has announced the launch of its latest meaty feast for Father’s Day Week: The Big Daddy Burger. 

The Big Daddy Burger will be available in all Morrisons Cafés in the week leading up to Dads’ very special day and costs £7.99 or only £5 for More Card customers, from Monday 12th to Sunday 18th June.   

There are two Big Daddy Burgers, made using 100% British beef, which are layered with a double serving of cheese and bacon, a hash brown, special burger sauce, lettuce, tomatoes and onion rings. The burger is served with a side of chips and portion of coleslaw making this the perfect way to treat the father figures in your life. 

The tasty treat will certainly make Dads all over the UK feel full of love (and food!) on their big day and those looking for a vegetarian option are also well catered for, as Morrisons chefs have created The Big Daddy Veggie Burger too.

Also served with chips and coleslaw, The Big Daddy Veggie Burger consists of three meat free patties, double cheese, a hashbrown, burger sauce, tomatoes, lettuce and onion rings for £7.99 or £5 for More Card Customers.

To make the celebration even greater value, families can enjoy the Kids Eat Free offer including all-time favourites like Bangers and Mash and Fish and Chips, when purchasing The Big Daddy Burger or any other meal costing £4.49 and over. 

Chris Strong, Morrisons Café Buying Manager, says: “We’re working very hard to serve our customers great-value, tasty meals whether it’s a midweek lunch or a special occasion like Father’s Day.  

"We’re confident The Big Daddy Burger and The Big Daddy Veggie Burger will be a firm favourite with customers so we’re adding them to the menu for the whole week and More Card customers can grab them for just £5 while kids can eat for free whenever an adult meal is purchased.”

Both burgers are available to order for home delivery, through JustEat and Deliveroo* and are subject to availability.

For a limited time only, The Big Daddy Burger and The Big Daddy Veggie Burger is available in all Morrisons cafés nationwide. To find your local café, visit: https://my.morrisons.com/storefinder/

*Orders placed via JustEat and Deliveroo for The Big Daddy Burger and The Big Daddy Veggie Burger cost £8.49 and are not eligible for the More Card Exclusive or Kids Eat Free promotions.