PORK & PRUNE BURGERS
These little beauties started off as meatballs when I had friends over for dinner and only had some sausage meat and sad little prunes with which to make a miracle meal. I liked them so much, I made them again as burgers.
(Makes 6) 87p each
6 dried prunes, sliced, 30p
1 onion, diced, 9p
400g free-range pork mince, £4.50
Handful of coriander, chopped finely, 20p
Pinch of nutmeg, 1p
2 tbsp flour, 6p
2 tbsp oil, 6p
Put the prunes, onions and pork mince in a mixing bowl. Add the coriander, season, then add the nutmeg and flour and mix well with your hands or a wooden spoon.
Cover the mixture and chill for at least 30 minutes – or, if you’re in a rush, add an egg and an extra two tablespoons of flour to bind.
Shape into six burgers and fry for seven to eight minutes on each side on a medium heat until cooked through.
TIP: If you don’t have any prunes, you can substitute with sultanas. Soak them in a little water and ping them in the microwave for a minute to fatten them up.
First published in The Guardian, 20 March 2014. Photograph by Frantzesco Kangaris for The Guardian.
Jack Monroe. Twitter: @BootstrapCook
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Categories: Guardian Food, Recipes & Food
Thank you Jack, looks like another tasty and versatile meal. With the egg and flour to bind, I wonder if these would work with defrosted Quorn mince, which is a third of the price of free-range pork mince?
The sultanas to replace prunes sounds like a good suggestion too, prunes can be a bit of an acquired taste in recipes.
Sounds yum! Just bought your recipe book- love it! It’s so accessible and practical, I know I’ll cook many of the recipes. Thanks!
I tried these on my sceptical ‘Menfolk’ after seeing the recipe on The Guardian website. My husband declared that he is “not a fan of pork mince” and both sons told me they “don’t eat prunes”. In the absence of any alternative they humoured me by trying half a burger each – before coming back for more. Husband told me how he would modify the recipe if he were cooking it. But I’m happy with my yellow label (discounted) pork mince and prunes. Hopefully he will be curious enough to buy me the book!
Date: Wed, 2 Apr 2014 18:23:27 +0000 To: jacqui.armitage@hotmail.com
Got your book for mothers day! Absolutely great and my son who is back from uni for the Easter break is keen to get cooking your recipes ( [perfect for the cash strapped student). Better still his local store is a Sainsbury’s too so all in all it was meant to be! My favourite is your Garlic and herb bread absolutely delicious and so easy to make.
Look forward hearing more from you in your blog and next book!