Hooked on cooking – Burgers with a difference

This is not for the Rendang curry purists out there – its my variation. If your students and family like a burger that's outside the box then this could be it!

Rendang style burgers

Per 2 students

500g (1.1lb) turkey mince

50g(2oz) tomato paste

2 popped garlic cloves or 2 crushed garlic cloves

1 tsp star anise powder

1 tbsp dark soy sauce

1 tsp Worcester sauce

50g shredded (or dessicated) coconut

1 tsp mild curry powder

1 tbsp sweet chilli sauce

2 tsp brown sugar

plain flour for shaping and dusting the burgers

You may need an egg to bind

Rapeseed or vegetable oil for shallow frying

Place the mince in a large mixing bowl then add the remaining ingredients (excluding the egg) and mix well. The omission of salt and pepper is deliberate – there's enough of both in the ingredients. At this point your mixture may be too wet. If it is, sprinkle a little plain flour over the mixture and fold in gently – if the mixture is too dry then use your egg. I made these burgers recently to the recipe given above and I didn't use the egg. A lot depends on where you get your turkey mince from, there will be differences. You don't have to use turkey mince but it is a healthier option.

Heat the oil gently in a frying pan. With damp hands weigh the mixture into 50g or 100g portions. Roll the mixture into a ball and then flatten into rounds and shape gently into a burger. Heat the oil in a frying pan, seal the burgers on a gentle heat, turn and repeat. At this point you have a choice, you can continue to cook the burgers in the pan on the hob, if you have an oven-proof pan, pop it straight in the oven or you can transfer, when sealed, to one of my famous foil dishes – 160fan/180c/Gas 4 for 15/20 minutes.

Rendang style Sauce

100 ml coconut cream

50ml water

3 tsp brown sugar

2 tsp curry powder

(I used mild)

1 tbsp kecap manis

(also known as sweet soy sauce)

Combine all the ingredients in a saucepan over a low heat and

serve. Can be made ahead and re-heated.

The sauce is optional but if you're creating a monster burger for hungry hordes serve on toasted burger buns or the brioche version - then you can add any of the usual extras – cheese slices, crispy bacon, top with a fried egg and then drizzle with the sauce to complete – clearly not for the health conscious!

Make sure there are plenty of napkins/serviettes around.

“Outside the box” in more ways than one and hopefully the fact that it's a burger may distract those who need a little encouragement to try something new – here's hoping!