A healthier (but still indulgent) burger recipe

It's International Hamburger Day on the 28th May and we'd love to share our tips on how to make good choices whilst also indulging in this much loved treat. We are going to decode the elements of a burger and offer healthier alternatives that won't make you feel like you're missing out.

With this all in mind you can make the right choices. Decide what elements you really can't do without (mine are the bun & cheese) and make healthy swaps elsewhere. Below is my burger recipe - it is definitely still a very indulgent burger for those treat days but avoids high salt, artificial additives, unhealthy fats and sugary condiments.

A healthier (but still indulgent) burger recipe:

Serves 2 people

(takes about 45 mins)

Ingredients:

• 2 burger buns
• 0.5 avocado
• 1 beef tomato, sliced
• 1 baby gem, leaves
• 20g cheddar

Patty:

• 250g lean steak mince (5%)
• 1 egg
• 40g fine polenta
• 1 tbsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp worcestershire sauce
• 1 banana shallot, grated
• 2 garlic cloves, grated
• salt & pepper

Chutney (make ahead):

• 250g cherry tomatoes
• 20g honey
• 20ml balsamic vinegar
• 1 banana shallot, chopped

Method:

1. Make your chutney: Combine all the ingredients in a saucepan (no need to chop the cherry tomatoes) and add 60ml water. Cook on a medium-high heat for 25 mins until the mix is glossy and syrupy. Leave aside to cool while you make your burgers.
2. Make your patties: Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl and mix well. Form into 2 patties. Heat a non-stick frying pan with some rapeseed oil or veg oil (avoid olive oil as this has a low smoke point and will burn and release toxins).
3. Once your oil is hot, add your patties and cook on one side until golden, then flip. Top with  the cheddar and place the lid on your pan. Cook to your liking - for the juiciest burgers  cook until the burger is crunchy and golden on the outside and still a little pink in the middle.
4.  Layer up your burgers with the chutney, lettuce, tomato and cheesey patty, then top with sliced avocado and some more of that chutney. And dig in!

With thanks to Sophie Nahmad for providing her recipe.
Image by: Sophie Nahmad
Recipe Developed by: Sophie Nahmad
Instagram: @soph_nahmad_chef