Smash burgers with home fries and kimchi mayonnaise

Serves: 4
Course: Main Course
Cooking Time: 0 hr 25 mins
Ingredients
  • 600g minced beef
  • Salt and black pepper
  • 1kg potatoes, peeled and cubed
  • 1 tsp sweet smoked paprika
  • 4 tbsp mayonnaise 
  • 2 tbsp kimchi, finely chopped 
  • ¼ tsp freshly grated ginger
  • 1 tsp toasted sesame seed oil
  • Light olive oil
  • Cheese slices, optional
  • 4-5 brioche buns, lightly toasted or warmed

1 Preheat the oven to 220 degrees.

2 Peel and cube the potatoes into bite-sized pieces. Place in a large pan and simmer in boiling water for five minutes. Drain in a colander over the sink, removing as much water as possible. Tip the potato cubes on to a baking tray and drizzle with olive oil. Dust the potato with the paprika and season with salt. Gently combine it all by folding it all together with a spatula.

3 Roast the potatoes for 15-20 minutes until golden and crispy.

4 To make the kimchi mayonnaise, finely chop the kimchi. Stir it through the mayonnaise, along with the ginger and sesame oil. Set aside.

5 Meanwhile heat a heavy based non-stick pan on the hob and divide the seasoned beef into four or five, depending on how many you need. I get two adult and three kids portions from this, but it easily feeds four adults.

6 Drizzle a little oil on the pan then place loosely formed burger patties on to the hot pan. Press them down with a spatula, this is why they're called smashed. The edges need to remain frayed in order to crisp up and form a crust, this way they'll take on amazing flavour. Cook without moving for about 90 seconds then flip them over. Add slices of cheese, if using, and cook for a further minute.

7 Serve right away in warm toasted brioche buns with salad leaves, a dollop of the kimchi mayonnaise and the home fries.

Lilly Higgins

Lilly Higgins

Lilly Higgins, a contributor to The Irish Times, is a food writer