Cheddar melt burgers

Try something different: These home-made burgers are a delicious alternative to takeaways. They’re filled with flavour and fun.

Makes 4

Preparation time 40 minutes Cooking time 15 minutes

You need

• 1 red pepper

• 2 big red chillies

• 125 ml tinned tomato-and-onion mix • 2 tablespoons fresh coriander

• salt and pepper, to taste

• 500 g mince

• 1 teaspoon braai spices

• 2 tablespoons dry breadcrumbs

• 8 slices salami

• 4 thick slices cheddar

• ½ red onion, finely chopped

• 4 vetkoek or bread rolls

• mayonnaise or mustard

• 1 avocado, sliced

• baby spinach

Here’s how

1 Roast the red pepper and chillies directly over the flames until charred all over and tender. Put the whole pepper and chillies, tomato-and-onion mix, and coriander in a food processor and pulse until you have a coarse braai sauce. Add the sauce to a pot and bring to a boil. Season to taste with salt and pepper and keep the sauce warm.

2 Mix the mince with the spices and breadcrumbs and roll into four loose balls. Hold one mince ball in the palm of your hand and make a hollow in the meat. Put a slice of salami, a slice of cheese and another slice of salami in the hollow. Close the mince around the filling to make a flat patty. Repeat the process with the rest of the patties.

3 Braai the patties on a greased grid over hot coals. Char the meat in places for a smoky flavour. Baste the patties with the braai sauce. The patties should be cooked through to melt the cheese, but make sure the meat doesn’t dry out.

4 Make burgers with the patties, bread rolls, mayonnaise, avocado and baby spinach and serve while the cheese is still hot.