Pork & Apple Burgers, Oven Fries and Simple Salad
During the lockdowns, we have hosted a couple of cook-alongs. Despite not being allowed out, it is still difficult getting everyone together for these things, especially when we have been learning online all day, to then cook online is a bit of an effort.
We have said that even if there is only one young person that wants to join any of our activities then we will show up and host as if the event was full! And that is what we did on this occasion.
This recipe serves 4 but we adapted it to suit the ingredients we had to hand and the number of people we were cooking for.
It took us about about 1 hour to prepare and cook this meal.
Lord, help me to cook and prepare this food that you have provided. With these hands I pause to prepare a meal. Please bless my hands that they may create a meal that is both delicious and nourishing. Lord, may all who share this meal with me receive a blessing through the food that I will prepare. Through Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour I pray. Amen.
Equipment
Baking tray & parchment x 2
Sharp knife
Chopping board
Measuring spoons
Grater
Frying pan
Medium sized bowl and a small bowl
Ingredients
2 or 3 baking potato or sweet potato (depending on size and appetite)
600g pork mince
1 apple
8 tsp smoked paprika
2 garlic clove grated or 2 tsp dried garlic
2 egg
1 large red onion
1/2 cucumber
16(ish) cherry tomatoes
8 tbs olive oil
4 tbs apple cider vinegar
salt and pepper
few lettuce leaves (rocket works well but whatever you have available)
1 lemon
TIP: Swap out the pork and apple for beef and parmesan for a really tasty beef burger.
Method
Tie back your hair and wash your hands before you start.
Heat the oven to 200C / fan 180 / Gas 6
Wash all fresh produce before use.
Scrub the potato(es) and cut into thin fries or thick chunky chips.
Put them on a baking tray lined with parchment. Sprinkle over a 4 tsp of smoked paprika and drizzle over 2 tbsp of your oil. Season with salt and pepper. Mix well, using your hands to make sure everything is covered.
Place in the oven for 20-25 mins for thin fries, longer if you are making chunky chips. Cook until golden and crispy. Remember to turn the chips over half way through cooking!!!
Grate the apple, skin and flesh. Using your hands, squeeze out the juice into a medium-sized bowl.
Add the mince pork, smoked paprika and garlic and some salt and pepper to the apple juice.
Crack in your egg and use your hands to mix everything together. It will be quite sloppy.
Make either 8 small or 4 large patties from the pork mixture.
Heat 1 tbsp of oil in a frying pan on a high-heat. Cook your burgers for a couple of minutes on each side until they are browned.
Then transfer to another baking sheet lined with parchment and cook in the oven for 15 minutes (20-30 minutes if you have made larger burgers).
Dice the red onion, cube the cucumber and quarter your tomatoes and drop them into a small bowl.
Dress the salad with 2 tbsp olive oil and 2 tbsp of apple cider vinegar. You should have enough oil and vinegar to add more if you prefer to. Season with salt and pepper. Add lemon juice to taste.
To serve, add a few salad leaves to each plate and place your burgers on top. Serve with the fries/chips and salad alongside.
Note For Church Youth Workers
Practical Cooking is a skill encouraged in the Get Smart part of the 2:52 Challenge. Please get in touch if you would like to know more.
You can download a copy of this recipe to share with the young people that attend your group. Please don't forget to share your photos, videos, stories and feedback in the comments and on social media using #252challenge.