Crispy Bacon & Caramelised Onion Cheeseburger

Meanwhile, peel and grate the garlic (or use a garlic press. Grate the Cheddar.

Trim the baby gem, then separate the leaves and reserve 1 leaf per person. Tear the remaining lettuce into bite-sized pieces. 

In a medium bowl, combine half the red wine vinegar with the sugar and olive oil for the dressing (see pantry for both amounts. Season with salt and pepper, then set aside.

In a large bowl, combine the garlic, breadcrumbs, salt and water for the breadcrumbs (see pantry for both amounts), then add the beef mince. Season with pepper and mix together with your hands. 

Roll into even-sized balls, then shape into 1cm thick burgers, 1 per person. TIP: The burgers will shrink a little during cooking. IMPORTANT: Wash your hands and equipment after handling raw mince.

Halfway through the wedges cooking time, pop the burgers onto a baking tray and bake on the middle shelf until cooked through, 12-15 mins. IMPORTANT: The burgers are cooked when no longer pink in the middle. 

Meanwhile, heat a drizzle of oil in a frying pan on medium-high heat.

Once hot, lay in the bacon rashers and fry until crispy and brown, 3-4 mins on each side. Transfer to a plate lined with kitchen paper. IMPORTANT: Wash your hands and equipment after handling raw meat. Cook bacon thoroughly.

Put the frying pan back on medium heat with a drizzle of oil. Once hot, add the onion and fry, stirring occasionally, until softened, 5-6 mins. 

In the meantime, halve the burger buns.

Once softened, stir the sugar for the onion (see pantry for amount) and the remaining red wine vinegar into the onions, then reduce the heat and cook until soft and sticky, 2-3 mins. Remove from the heat.

Meanwhile, once the burgers are cooked, carefully place the cheese on top of them and pop back into the oven until the cheese has melted, 2-3 mins. 

At the same time, pop the burger buns into the oven to warm through.