…with cucumber & Olive salsa

Home cook Charlene Bugeja

Serves 6-8

Prep time 60 mins + overnight chilling

Ingredients

800g minced belly pork
2 garlic cloves, finely grated
5 green chillies, finely chopped (seeds and all)
1/2 tsp. cracked black pepper
20 mint leaves, finely chopped
40g dried breadcrumbs
2 shallots, finely diced
70g green olives, pitted and chopped
1/2 tsp. salt
150g feta cheese, crumbled
Olive oil, for frying

For the salsa

1 cucumber
4 spring onions, trimmed
1/2 bunch of dill, stalks removed, leaves finely chopped
3 tbsp. olive oil
2 tbsp. puréed green olives
1 green chilli, deseeded and finely chopped
Grated zest and juice of 1 small unwaxed lemon

To serve

Burger or brioche buns
Slices of cheese (optional)
Tomato ketchup

Method

To make the burgers, put all the ingredients, except the oil, in a large bowl and mix thoroughly until well combined. Work together with your hands until the mixture forms a firm ball.
Divide into 6 equal portions, shape into patties and place on a tray. Chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes, or overnight if it’s more convenient, to allow time for the flavours to develop.
Prepare the salsa about 20 minutes before you intend to serve the burgers. Peel the cucumber, halve lengthways and scoop out the seeds. Finely dice the cucumber flesh and place in a bowl. Thinly slice the spring onions and add to the cucumber along with all the other the ingredients. Toss to combine and set aside to allow the flavours to mingle.

When you’re ready to cook the burgers, brush them with olive oil. Heat up your grill, barbecue or frying pan. You don’t want to cook them on too fierce a heat, so turn the grill or pan down to medium, or cook the burgers towards the cooler edges of the barbecue.

Gently fry the burgers for 4-5 minutes on one side then flip them over and cook for a further 2 minutes or until cooked right through. Remove the burgers from the heat and leave to rest on a warmed plate for a couple of minutes.
Serve the burgers with the salsa sandwiched in buns, with cheese and/or tomato ketchup if you like.