Sometimes only a burger will do, this is how I like mine.  It’s a serious feast.

Makes 5 fat burgers…

for the burger:

• 1kg good quality minced beef (get it from your butcher, from the supermarket will have added water and wont grill well)
• 5 rashers of smoked streaky bacon, chopped finely
• 1 tbsp worcester sauce
• 1 tsp ‘french’s’ American mustard

for the buns:

• 500g strong flour
• 2 eggs, one for the dough, one for the glaze
• 100ml milk
• 200ml water
• 5g dried instant yeast
• 10g salt
• sesame seeds  (for decoration)

for the burger sauce

• 2tbsp mayonnaise
• 3tbsp ketchup
• 1 tbsp french’s mustard
• 8 gherkin slices chopped finely
• half small red onion, finely chopped
• 1tsp hot chilli sauce of your choice (I use siracha chilli sauce)

garnish, I keep it simple but its completely up to you:

• lettuce
• sliced tomato
• cheddar cheese

If you are going to make your own buns start this first. Mix all of the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl then add the liquids and 1 egg.  Mix well to combine before turning out on a clean surface and kneading for 5 minutes. Return to the bowl, cover and leave to rise for 30 minutes.  Repeat the kneading and return to the bowl again and leave to rise for 1 hour.  Shape into rolls and leave to rise on a baking sheet again for 30 minutes.  Glaze with egg wash and sprinkle sesame seeds on top before baking in hot oven at 200 for 20-30 minutes.

Mix the beef, chopped bacon, worcester sauce and american mustard together, mould into 5 (or more) patties and chill for at least 30 minutes.

Mix the burger sauce.

Grill the burger on a hot bbq for about 5 minutes a side or similarly in a hot frying pan, add the cheese and allow to melt for a couple of minutes.

Assemble, eat vigorously and await the meat sweats.