The ultimate burger

I've been suffering from a head cold this weekend so I have spent most of it sleeping on the couch and watching too much tv. I did drag myself up however to put together an early dinner since the other half will be away for a while for work. The request - burgers (of course). I've always wanted to try making tomato relish so gave that a go and I'm really happy with how it tasted and surprised at how easy it is to make.

Tomato relish

• 500g truss tomatoes, chopped

• 1/2 apple; peeled, cored and chopped

• 185ml white vinegar

• 125g caster sugar

• 1 small onion, chopped

• 1 clove garlic

• 1 tsp salt

• 1 tsp mustard powder

• 1 tsp curry powder

• 1 tsp cornflour

• 1/8 cup white vinegar, extra

Place tomato, onion, apple, garlic, 185ml vinegar, salt, mustard, curry powder and sugar into a medium pot. Bring to boil, stir and simmer for 1 1/2 hours. Mix the cornflour to a paste with remaining 1/8 cup of vinegar, add the the tomato mixture and stir until thickened. Store in a sterilised jar and seal. Fills 1 medium size jar.

The ultimate burger

• 700g minced beef

• 1 tbsp tomato paste

• 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

• 1 egg

• 1/4 cup bread crumbs

• 6 sprigs Italian parsley, chopped

• Sea salt & cracked black pepper

• 2 onions, sliced into rings

• 4 hamburger buns, halved

• 12 baby cos lettuce leaves

• 8 slices truss tomato

• Tomato relish (recipe above)

Combine beef, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, egg, bread crumbs, Italian parsley, salt and pepper in a bowl. Divide mixture into 4 and shape into flat patties. Cook the onion rings in a frying pan over medium-high heat for 3 minutes each side. Remove and keep warm. Add the patties to the pan and cook for 3-4 minutes each side or until cooked through. Lay a slice of cheese over each and let melt. Brown buns under grill and on serving plates top buns with lettuce, a patty with cheese, tomato, onion rings and tomato relish. Makes 4 large burgers.