A big success in our household the burger maker from Lakeland is a simple to use gadget, which allows you to make great burgers quickly and simply. I had stopped buying shop burgers after the BSE scare and decided to have a go at making my own. Yes, you can make burgers without this gadget but mine do have a tendency to fall apart. By using the burger maker they hold their shape and are much easier to cook and turn over.
£6.50 from Lakeland Ltd the burger maker consists of four white plastic parts – A Plunger, Body, Pressure Plate and Bottom Plate, and a large spring and some waxed discs. Each part has a letter and these are illustrated in the instructions. As it is a simple gadget the instructions are written on a small single two-sided sheet of paper. The instructions tell you how to assemble and disassemble the burger maker. I confess that I still find assembling it a little hard as the pressure plate has to click into place and can be a little awkward. However, with only four main parts it doesn’t take long and is soon ready for use. The parts are easily washed in soapy water afterwards and can be easily reassembled ready for the next time.
The leaflet advises that any combination of minced meats can be used to make burgers and also fish cakes (I use tuna or salmon and mashed potato) and vegetarian burgers too. Lakeland have included a budget recipe on the leaflet which uses dry porridge oats as a filler or the standard recipe which is the one that I use. This is as follows:
350g minced meat (if using very lean meat it is advisable to add 25g suet to prevent the mixture from being too dry). 2 heaped tablespoons white breadcrumbs 1 small peeled onion chopped finely 1 small beaten egg 1 level teaspoon mustard powder 1 teaspoon dried herbs Sprinkle of pepper and salt
Simply combine the above ingredients mixing thoroughly and then place in the burger press. The waxed discs prevent the mixture from sticking to the press and then they can be stacked one on top of the other ready for cooking. Other ingredients can be added to the basic mix to give different flavourings. Suggested flavourings might be: chutney, chilli powder, garlic, nutmeg, curry powder, worcestershire sauce etc. Lakeland also sells a hardback book called Best Ever Burgers, which has 100 step by step photographs for all different types of burgers. It costs £2.95.
The press makes burgers about half an inch thick, which are great for burger buns and are very moist and moreish. They have proved a great hit with my son and his friends and are simple to prepare and cook. Once you’ve made your own you won’t want to go back to buying the shop versions. It is very reassuring to know the exact contents of your own burgers and they taste really scrumptious too.
I bought my burger maker from the Chester shop but they do have a mail order service. Postage is £2.95 for goods up to £39.99 and above this postage is free. Indeed if your order comes to £45 or more you can choose from a free gift of either a bacon box, stayfresh longer bags or herb chopper.
You can ask for a comprehensive catalogue and their phone number is 015394 88100. They are open from 8am – 9.30 pm Monday to Friday and 8.30 am – 8.30 pm Saturday. On Sunday they open from 9am to 8.30 pm. You can also order by fax on 015394 88300 and online too at lakelandlimited.co.uk. Their products are backed by a guarantee and Lakeland state that if you are not satisfied at any time you will receive your money back. So far I have always been very pleased with all my purchases from the shop.
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