Hamburger with the Lot

An institution in Australia, a "hamburger with the lot" is an Aussie take on its American counterpart.

The famed burger is served in pubs, fish & chip shops and restaurants around the country. It usually consists of a juicy beef patty in a bun served with with cheese, sliced tomato, sliced, canned beetroot, onions, lettuce, bacon and an egg. Some versions are served with a slice of pineapple for that extra flavor of summer.

A hamburger with the lot speaks of summer, surf and sunshine. It's not the kind of thing I'd eat every day but for a special occasion, a it's a real treat!

Ingredients:

• 500 grams of ground, extra lean beef
• 2 medium white onions
• 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 2 Tbsp tomato sauce (ketchup)
• 1 Tbsp of finely chopped fresh parsley
• 1 egg
• Romaine lettuce for 4
• 4 slices of cheddar cheese
• 1 medium, ripe tomato, sliced
• 4 eggs (for frying)
• Canned beetroot
• 5-6 rashers of bacon
• Mayonnaise and tomato sauce for serving
• 4 hamburger buns
• 1 Tbsp of canola oil
• Serves 4

Preparation:

1. Slice 1 onion into rings and set aside. Finely chop the remaining onion and then place it in a bowl with the beef, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, tomato sauce, parsley and egg. Mix well to combine.
2. Shape the mixture into four large patties and then cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
3. Heat the oil in a large, heavy-based fry-pan. Once the oil is swirling in the pan, add two beef patties. Fry for about 5-6 minutes on each side or until browned.
4. Place a piece of cheese on each patty while they're still in the fry-pan. Let the cheese melt a little and then remove the patties using a spatula and and let them rest on a plate covered in foil.
5. Heat the grill so that you can toast the buns just before serving.
6. Fry the remaining patties and then set aside the plate to rest. You can also fry the bacon with the patties if you want. Drain the bacon on paper towels once cooked.
7. Discard most of the oil from the pan and then fry the eggs until desired doneness.
8. Lightly toast the buns and then assemble by spreading on mayonnaise on the bottom bun, followed by lettuce, a patty and cheese, tomato slices, beetroot slices, a fried egg, bacon and finally, a squirt of tomato sauce, followed by the top bun.