Salt Crusted Burgers with Mashy Peas

salt crusted burgers with mashy peas
From Stonesoup
serves 2

This was one of my favourite dinners from the $25 week. The secret is using the salt layer to cook the burgers. So as the juices drip out, the salt helps them congeal and form an instant crust which makes for a moist, full flavoured burger. I actually find that more fatty (and cheaper) beef makes for a more moist and tasty burger.

I’ve served the burgers here with caramelised onions. If you can’t be bothered with all that chopping and sweating, feel free to serve the burgers with your favoruite condiment. Or even just serve them simply with the peas which act as a bit of a sauce anyway.

400g (14oz) minced (ground) beef
2 large handfuls frozen peas
2 knobs butter
splash lemon juice
caramelised onion (recipe below), to serve, optional

1. Heat a frying pan or skillet on a super high heat for at least 3 minutes. You want it smoking hot.

2. Meanwhile divide beef into two and shape into burger patties.

3. Sprinkle a fine layer of fine salt onto the pan and slide the burgers on top. Cook for 4 minutes then turn, adding a little more salt for the second side.

4. Meanwhile, heat a little oil in a medium pan and add the peas. Cook covered on a high heat for about 4 minutes or until peas are hot.

5. Once the burgers are turned, cook for another 4 minutes or until burgers are how you like them.

6. When the peas are hot, add the butter then roughly puree with a stick blender or mash with a fork. Season with salt, pepper and lemon juice.

7. Serve burgers on a bed of mashy peas with caramelised onion, if using.

VARIATIONS
vegan / vegetarian – make lentil burgers by draining a can of lentils and roughly mashing with a fork. Mix with 2 large handfuls soft bread crumbs and form into 2 patties, using more bread if the burgers feel too wet. Fry in oil until golden on both sides (about 3 mins a side).

chicken burgers – use good quality chicken mince instead of the beef. Serve with a dollup of mayo or aioli instead of the onion.

traditional burgers – cook salt crusted burgers as above but serve on a burger bun with ketchup and a little mayo and some crisp lettuce.

chilli burgers – serve with chilli oil instead of the onion.