Simon Rimmer - top tips for burgers and hotdogs
- Make
your burgers using ground beef mince with a decent level of fat (ideally
20%). All you need is that, and salt and pepper.
- If
you fancy making chicken or turkey burgers, there’s a lot less fat, so add
half a finely diced and fried onion to the mix and some mixed herbs or
smoked paprika to boost the flavour.
- Mix
well and mould into a max of 200g patties. Fit the patties to the bun, so
they fit, even if they shrink a little.
- Cook
the burgers on direct heat, for approximately 5-6mins each side. Don't
keep moving or squashing the burgers. That will do them no good at all. Get a meat thermometer so you can
check internal temp is 72c.
- Toppings -
make sure the mayo/burger sauce goes right to the edge of your bun -
nobody wants a dry bun. Don't add too much cheese, it will be difficult to
eat and drown the taste.
- Think
texture - some crispy onions add a lovely crunch to burgers. Top half of
the bun, same as the base, and make it juicy
Simon Rimmer's homemade Pizza recipe
Ingredients (makes 2 pizzas)
Dough
400g
00 flour, sifted
1 x 7g sachet instant yeast
Tsp sea salt, fine
Tsp sugar
50ml olive oil
Approx 225ml hot water
2 Tbs semolina to roll
Extra
flour and oil
Topping
1
tin good quality chopped tomatoes, drained
Tsp salt
Tsp sugar
Clove crushed garlic
150g mozzarella
Few basil leaves
Tbs
capers
Method
Dough
Mix
the flour, yeast, sugar
Make
a well in the centre, add the oil, then water, mix well
Tip
onto a floured surface, and knead for 3-4mins
Cover
and prove 1 hour
Cut
in half, knead, then shape into 2 balls
Press
out with your fingers until they’re about 250mm in diameter, with thicker
edges.
Topping
Mix
the tomatoes with salt, sugar and garlic
Spoon
about 75g tom sauce onto the pizza, spread to the raised edges
Add
the mozzarella (torn) and the capers
Bake
on a pizza stone at the hottest temp. Approx 5-8mins
Serve
with more oil and basil
See Simon make his homemade pizzas here...
Ingredients
Lamb
2.5kg butterflied lamb shoulder, most of the outer fat removed
Tbs smoked paprika
75ml oil
150g harissa
4 smoked anchovies
Tbs sea salt
Tbs sumac
Tbs cinnamon
Tbs brown sugar
200g feta
Sauce
100ml Greek yoghurt
100ml tahini
4 crushed garlic cloves
Juice half lemon
Salad
2 half mooned cucumbers
Tsp chilli
Tbs sea salt
Juice and zest 1 lemon
Chopped tomatoes
Serve with flatbread and pickled chillies
Method
Lamb
In a bowl combine the spice mix
Rub all over the lamb, leave for at least 2 hours
Sit the lamb on the rack in indirect heat.
Close the lid and cook for 5 hours, after 2.5 hours, wrap in foil, loosely.
Then remove for the last 30mins.
With 45 minutes left, put the feta on a tray and sit on the upper shelf
Sauce
Mix well (you may need to add a little hot water)
Salad
Mix well
To serve
Shred the lamb, chop the feta
Spread sauce on the flatbread – add the salad, feta and meat – roll up and enjoy!
You can see Simon create this tasty recipe below...