Get Premium access to all the latest content online
Subscribe and view full print editions online... Subscribe
Alice Waters’ lovage burgers
Serves 4 Starters and mains
Ingredients
- 4 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
- 8 lovage leaves, coarsely chopped
- 800g minced chuck beef
- focaccia bread
- grilled onions
- Dijon mustard
- rocket leaves
Method
In a mortar, pound the garlic with a little salt. Add the lovage leaves and briefly continue to pound. Put the minced beef into a bowl and mix in the garlic and lovage, using your hands. Season generously with salt and pepper.
Divide the burger mixture into 4 portions and mould each one into a patty between your palms. It is important to pack the meat well and make sure the edges of the patties are smooth to ensure even cooking. Leave a little concave dimple in the centre of each patty.
Warm up the grill – you’re aiming for a medium heat. For a medium-rare burger, grill each patty for about 5 minutes on each side.
Slice your bread. The slices should just match the size of your burger, so trim them a little if necessary. Toast each slice until lightly browned, one side just slightly more crisp than the other.
Now build your burger: take a slice of bread (crisper side down), place the patty on top (dimpled side up), and garnish to your heart’s content with grilled onions, a smear of Dijon mustard and some rocket leaves.
Advertisement